Jose E. Valentini, Phd.

Jose E. Valentini, age 68, of Hockessin, DE, a U.S. citizen born in Argentina, died on April 11, 2019 at Barclay Friends, West Chester. PA.

Jose was born in Cordoba, Argentina, son of Irma Drehock Valentini and the late Cesar Valentini. He attended the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, receiving his Master of Science in Chemistry, in 1974. He went on to the University of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he received his Doctorate degree in Chemical Engineering, in 1977. He also earned his Masters of Science in Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, in 1980. Jose also attended various flying schools in the Northeast, United States earning his private pilot license, instructor and ATP for single and multiple engine planes from 1984 to 2014. He was fluent in speaking Spanish, Italian, English and most recently, German.

Jose worked for the duPont Company in Research & Development in different groups for 37 years, in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Brevard, NC and Wilmington, DE. While in Brevard, N.C., he was also part of Sterling & AGFA, as the site changed hands. He also worked for Huntsman Textiles Inc. with R&D assignment in Basel, Switzerland/Germany, for 4 years. Jose became a professor at the Delaware State University, Aviation School for 2 years. Throughout his career he was also an aviation instructor at Mountain Air Cruise,LLC.

He was a member of the American Chemical Society for over 40 years, including receiving a prestigious award in recognition of his contributions to science. He was also a member of Sigma XI, AOPA and several aviation clubs in Eastern PA..

Jose is survived by his wife of 40 years, Silvia C. Valentini, his son, Bryan E. Valentini(Niki Sawyer) of New York, daughter Romina N. Valentini, of Philadelphia, PA., his 96 yr. old mother, Irma D. Valentini, his brother Cesar N. Valentini, his nephew, Lionel C. Valentini, all of Buenos Aires, Argentina and his beloved children cats, Spooky and Buttons.

The day of Jose’s passing, the family held a private prayer service. The family celebrated Dr. Valentini’s life with him, recently inviting family, friends and acquaintances that visited him while in medical treatment at Barclay Friends to share memories, stories, photos, messages read to him, etc. from friends from as far as Japan, Argentina, Germany, and Singapore.

Jose’s life passion was flying, the reason why he spent his last years flying and teaching young students to become pilots. Memorial Contribution to help a young life reach their dream of flying someday may be made to his school, Delaware State University, Aviation School, 1200 N. Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901.

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Funeral Services

Funeral Services are private and at the convenience of the family.

Condolences

Bill Mooney & Akiko Yamada lit a candle

04/13/2019 02:22 pm

Carlos montoto writes,

Mi querido José que dios te guarde en su gloria y te de la Paz que te mereces Un abrazo querido amigo A su familia mi sentido pésame Carlos montoto alias el toto

04/14/2019 12:17 am

Hans from Switzerland lit a candle and writes,

Dear Jose, I am very sad that you had to leave us that early. Always shall I remember your cheerfulness and your enthusiasm for flying and for the discoveries we made on our common trips by plane in Europe. You were the best mate I can imagine. May you Rest In Peace. My heartfelt condolences go to the family, may you be comforted.

04/14/2019 03:35 pm

Patrick McIntyre lit a candle and writes,

I was greatly saddened of hearing of Jose's passing. He was one of my greatest friends and co-worker at DuPont. We both shared a great enthusiasm for science, flying and orchids. We had several patents that we developed together that I am very proud of. I will greatly miss you my friend. Pat McIntyre.

04/14/2019 04:53 pm

Kathryn Pearlstine lit a candle

04/14/2019 08:43 pm

Silvia Valentini writes,

Things I forgot to tell everybody... Jose and his brother attended a very prestigious military academy in BsAs, Argentina, during his high school years. One of his friends/comrades visited him in March, bringing Jose and family much joy. He brought a book/album they put together with pictures, memories, etc. celebrating the 50th year since graduation. Most moving was an old video (1968) showing the graduation ceremony and the changed of guards, in which Jose was a lead scold because of his high academic achievement.

04/15/2019 07:20 am

Christine McKinney Greentaner lit a candle and writes,

To the Valentini family, I had the pleasure of working for Jose for a couple of years at Dupont. He was a wonderful boss. Very caring, gave great direction, and highly respected. Every time we met in his office, he would slide a piece of chocolate across his desk to me. What a nice memory. I pray your family finds peace during this sad time. Christine

04/15/2019 08:04 am

Susana Abarca lit a candle and writes,

Dear Silvia, We feel very sorry for your lost, it was a pleasure to visit you and Jose last year while my parents were visiting NY and we had the opportunity to drive to PA. We will always remember Jose telling us his memories of traveling and flying too many countries. Te queremos mucho y te mandamos un gran abrazo de toda mi familia.

04/15/2019 08:15 am

Waifong Anton writes,

You are dearly missed.

04/15/2019 09:43 am

Diego y Javier Perez Martel lit a candle

04/15/2019 12:31 pm

Marcelo Felix Abarca Lohoz writes,

Querida prima.Te acompañamos con mucha triteza en este momento tan dificil. Josè fue una persona muy amable ,gentil y hospitalaria con nosotros.QEPD.

04/15/2019 06:04 pm

Ryf Gerhard writes,

Liebe Familie, Ich drücke mein tiefstes Beileid aus. Ich hatte das grosse Glück, Jose für einige Jahre in der Schweiz als Vorgesetzten zu haben. Er war stets für alles offen und sehr bestrebt, sein Wissen zu teilen und weiterzugeben. Ich und meine Kollegen vermissen ihn sehr. Er brachte jeden Tag die Sonne und gute Laune ins Haus. Es gab nicht viele, welche mein Leben in so kurzer Zeit so geprägt haben. Geri

04/16/2019 03:41 am

Jack Hickey,Sr. writes,

Ralph Waldo Emmerson said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world, but Jose Valentini didn’t have that problem. Jose was a man of great intellect, drive, and ingenuity. Here the record stands through his education and life’s work as a scientist and instructor. What is more, he was a person of great love, compassion, and integrity. I will always remember Jose as a man whose life spoke volumes. This was especially made clear in his love for his family, friends, and God; and their love for him. As such, Jose Esteban Valentini not only lived life well, but was equally happy in doing so. Silvia, Bryan, and Romina, I am so sorry for your loss, but I am confident that while Jose’s mind and body were encumbered by illness in his final days, those restraints are now lifted. He is himself again - more himself than at any time on this earth. For we may be sure that the Lord never forgets those who remember Him, and as the last journey of this faithful pilgrim took him beyond the sunset, and as heaven's morning broke, I like to think - in the words of John Bunyan, that “all the trumpets sounded on the other side.” We here still move in twilight, but we have one beacon to guide us that Jose Valentini never had. We have his example. Let us give thanks today for a life that achieved so much for us all. God bless. . . Jack Hickey, Sr.

04/16/2019 05:58 am

Silvia writes,

Adding an important memory.... Jose and his brother attended a very prestigious military academy in BsAs, Argentina, during his high school years. One of his friends/comrades visited him in March, bringing Jose and family much joy. He brought a book/album they put together with pictures, memories, etc. celebrating the 50th year since graduation. Most moving was an old video (1968) showing the graduation ceremony and the changed of guards, in which Jose was a lead scold because of his high academic achievement. Jose y Cesar (hermano) hicieron la escuela secundaria en el Liceo Militar de Buenos Aires. Uno de sus companeros y amigo desde entonces vino a visitar a Jose cuando estaba en Barkely Friends. Oscar trajo un album que los companeros publicaron en 2018 con motivo de celebrar 50 anos desde la graduacion. El contenido de fotos, memories, etc. trajo al presente muchos anos buenos de amistad y experiencias invaluables para toda la familia. Tambien nos trajo un viejo video de la ceremonia de graduacion en 1968 donde muestra claramente a Jose participando en el "cambio de banderas". Jose gano el honor debido a su buenas calificationes academicas y personales. Solo nos queda agradecer a esos viejos amigos por haber compartido con nosotros esas memorias muy queridas.

04/16/2019 08:50 am

Sandra L Witman lit a candle and writes,

I had the pleasure of working many years with Jose at DuPont. He was always a kind and generous soul; always had a smile and a piece of chocolate for you. He left us way too early. Deepest condolences to the Valentini family. Be comforted knowing that he is now flying with the angels.

04/16/2019 11:34 am

Albert Alsop lit a candle and writes,

I worked with Jose at DuPont and knew him outside of work from our shared love of flying. I'm so sorry to hear Jose passed. He always had a smile and I enjoyed our conversations both technical and about flying. I'll miss him.

04/16/2019 06:31 pm

Daniel Kraiter lit a candle and writes,

It is hard to believe that Jose left us. We had a great time at DuPont and I will always remember his smile and cheerfulness. My deepest condolences to the family.

04/17/2019 05:40 pm

Kyle lit a candle and writes,

I had the great pleasure of meeting Dr. Valentini through working with him as a student assistant at Delaware State University. He was one of the kindest individuals I have ever met, he always made sure the students were understanding any aviation material covered. I will miss having him as part of our DSU family. , Kyle Longhany

04/19/2019 07:24 pm

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