Salvatore F. Valente

Salvatore (Sal) F. Valente, formerly of South Philadelphia passed away on March 11, 2021 at the age of 97.  Son of the late Francis and Carmella (nee DeGenova) Valente. Brother of Maria Valente and predeceased by Grace Valente, Rita Lamb and Evelyn Delaney.  Also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Sal attended South Philadelphia High School. He was very proud of his South Philly roots, living there for 90+ years. He then moved to Atria Senior Living in center city where he quickly became a resident ambassador with his outgoing personality.

 Having learned electrical skills from his father who worked for the Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC) - now SEPTA - Sal adapted those skills and learned how to service what was then the first tube radios and televisions. Returning from the war Sal converted his father’s business, Oregon Electric into Oregon TV Service and became the premier troubleshooter in Philadelphia as a Philco certified technician.  There was nothing he could not fix or figure out if it was electrical, including troubleshooting down to the minutest detail of circuitry. He was considered to be the best in the city, called on often by other shops when they could not solve electronic issues. He was excited when transistors were invented although his job became somewhat boring when circuit cards could be swapped out without having to troubleshoot down to the level of detail he was accustomed to. And then along came LEDs, which “lit up his life.” Always being on the forefront of technology, Sal loved to dabble in LED lighting technology. In addition to being a ham operator - literally reaching out to folks all over the world – Sal also taught Morse code, which he mastered during WW II, at the Franklin Institute to inner-city children.  Over the years, he owned private airplanes that included a Mooney, a Piper Cub, a Swift, and a Cessna. He would not hesitate to fly them anywhere from Canada to Florida. Sal was completely into hobbies and sharing everything he knew with others, especially family. He was overall brilliant at anything he decided he was interested in and was always there for family! He will be dearly missed by all!

Sal was a veteran of World War II. For his service, he earned a WWII Victory Medal, an American Theater Service Medal, and a European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with Three Bronze Stars. He was with the Army Corps of Engineers building bridges. Sal achieved the rank of Technician Fifth Grade before separating from the Army on March 8, 1946 after 1 year, 8 months and 9 days of service. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation Saturday Morning March 20, 2021 from 9:00-9:45 AM at Saint Dorothy Church, Burmont and Township Line Roads, Drexel Hill, PA  19026, and his Funeral Mass following at 10:00 AM.  Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.  COVID 19 protocols will be followed.   Funeral Mass will be livestreamed as well.  Please access the following link at 9:45 A.M. https://www.facebook.com/Loganfuneralhomes/