Guy A. Valerio

Guy A. Valerio

Guy "Gary" A. Valerio, age 81, passed away surrounded by his loving family, at Saint Vincent Hospital, on Friday, December 16, 2022. He was born on January 1, 1941, in Erie, a son of the late Anthony and Antonette Comi Valerio.

Gary was a 1958 graduate of Strong Vincent Academy and then continued his education at Ohio State University. During high school and his years at Ohio State University, Gary played football and always told stories about his games, which we all loved to hear. The nickname "Head" stuck with him all his playing years. He would say partly because of his ability to hit opponents with his head and it's size (followed by his laughter). When Gary returned to Erie, he married Charlene and they had three sons and finally a daughter. Gary's love for them was always strong and loud, those children were a valued part of life for Gary. His love for his parents, brothers, children, grandchildren and beyond which was known and felt by all. He especially enjoyed the "Italian-style" arguing with his son Michael and his daily life at home with his daughter Michelle. During football season, Gary and his grand-daughter Kristina, would talk for hours about teams, stats, players, and then put in their parlays with hopes of winning big! Gary also became a life mentor for his grand-daughter Brenda, which enabled her to be the successful woman she is today.

Gary's career as a mail carrier was long and he proudly retired in 1997. He had so many routes throughout the City of Erie. Those routes enabled him to tell his many stories, offer all he met advice, and create lifelong memories of places and people of his hometown.

Gary loved to bet on the horses, call his family during the day, critique Michael's leftovers, and wait for his brothers Kenny and David, to bring homemades and gnocchi over so he could enjoy them cold.

Friendships were important to Gary. And once you were in the circle you were in for life. True friendships like the ones he had with David Grassi, Tommy Sapienza, and Johnny D. were cherished by Gary. When his friends would visit, Gary made certain to have plenty of Italian food ready to enjoy while they reminisced.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his former wife, Charlene Valerio; his son, William "Billy" Valerio; his brother, Douglas Valerio; his sister-in-law, Carolyn Valerio; and lifelong friend Phil DiNicola.

He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Valerio (Joseph Pontoriero); his sons, Michael Valerio (favorite daughter-in-law, Jennifer) and Anthony Valerio; his brothers, Kenneth Valerio (Debbie) and David Valerio; his sister-in-law Mary Ellen Valerio; his grandchildren, Ashley, Michael Jr. (Justine), Kristina, Rocklynn (Gilberto), Dakota, Brenda Valerio, and Kirsten Faber (C.J.); and eleven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends mentioned above.

Family and friends are invited to call at Saint Peter Cathedral, 230 W. 10th St., on Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 9:30 until the time of the Funeral Mass there at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org). Arrangements are being handled by the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, Erie, PA 16502.