Orrin Whittaker Valente

Orrin “Dud” W. Valente, 92, passed away on March 18, 2026. The son of Paul and Alta Valente, he was born on September 22, 1933, in Milo, Maine. He grew up and attended schools in Milo, graduating from Milo High School in 1951 and Ricker College in 1959 after serving overseas in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. After graduation, he became a salesman for Forster Toothpick Manufacturing Company from 1959 to 1970, rising to District Sales Manager. He married Helen Horne on September 22, 1956, and they settled in Farmington, then Cumberland, to raise their three children. From 1972-1997, he owned and operated A.L. Griffin, Inc, a ship chandlery on Custom House Wharf in Portland, Maine.

Orrin enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at the family’s camps, The Hornets’ Nest on Ebeemee Lake and Seldom Inn in Gouldsboro. He also loved hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling. He went on several successful moose hunts throughout his life, and in 2004, he bagged the biggest deer in the state of Maine, a 10-point buck weighing in at 277 pounds.

He was predeceased by his wife Helen, brothers Louis and Henry, sisters Angela, Georgia, Mary, and his daughter-in-law Tracey.

Orrin is survived by his brother Virgil. He is also survived by his three children, Torry Valente of New Gloucester, Peter (Kelley) Valente of Cumberland, and Kelley (Eric) Brown of Wilton, his grandchildren, Paul, Jenna, Taylor, Allison, Alicia, Kristen, and Maria, his 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Orrin pulled from a seemingly bottomless well of love and devotion, which he shared generously with everyone in his life. He was truly one of a kind, from his quick wit to his contagious laughter and big heart. To know Orrin was to love him. He will be missed and will live on through the fond memories and countless stories his loved ones will share over a glass of vino or Ballantine Ale.

Details of a celebration of life will be announced by the family shortly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Orrin’s memory to the American Legion Post 41, 18 W Main St, Milo, ME 04463.