Charles (Charlie) Valenza of Dedham, passed peacefully on November 30, 2023 in Boston at the age of 90. Charlie was born on July 15, 1933 in Readville and moved to Dedham at the age of 8 where he spent the rest of his years. Charlie was drafted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. Following his service he attended Boston University.
Charlie met the love of his life Trudy and they married in 1959. Together they raised two children Deborah Glennon of Walpole and Chuck Valenza Jr. of North Falmouth.
Charlie was a 1952 graduate of Dedham High School where he played varsity football and baseball. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and former member of the American Legion. He was a proud coach and board member of Dedham Little League. Charlie was employed by Instrumentation Laboratories for over 25 years. He loved spending time at his home in North Falmouth where he would enjoy the company of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren on the front porch. He was blessed to have many friends from all areas of his life. Those who were close to Charlie knew him as a compassionate man and a jokester at heart.
He was the son of the late Cesare and Antonina Valenza and brother of the late Antoinette, Louise, James and Mary Valenza.
He is survived by his wife Trudy, daughter Deborah Glennon of Walpole and his son, Charles Jr. and his wife Kelly of North Falmouth. Grandchildren Kelly Crabbe and her husband Tim of Walpole, Michael Glennon of Walpole, and Brian Glennon and his wife Nicole of Norwood, Chuck and his wife Kristin of Manassas, VA and Luciano Valenza of Newburyport. His beloved great-grandchildren Jackson and Charlie Crabbe, Yeardley and Brady Glennon, Carmela Glennon, and Aria and James Valenza.
A visitation will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home on Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 8:30-10:00am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Dedham at 10:30am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charles’ memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.