Joseph F Valent

Joseph Francis Valent of Dunellen, NJ passed away at his home on January 17, 2023.

Joseph was born in Middlesex, NJ on October 4, 1957 to the late Francis and Wanda (Tarhala) Valent. As a youth, Joe enjoyed archery, hunting and fishing. He graduated from Middlesex High School where he played football. He later attended Trenton State College. In 1977 he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served until being honorably discharged. He married Callie M. Clee of Green Brook on September 15, 1994. Joey was her beloved “Prince Charming”. He was a “team player” at home, helping with all of the household duties. They did everything together. Joe worked in horticulture and retired from the Doris Duke Foundation in 2022 after 29 years of service. He worked establishing and growing ornamental and native plants for the 11 Gardens of the World at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, as well as eliminating invasive specie plants. Although he worked with plants daily, he relished the chance to garden at home, establishing his native and ornamental plants as well as vegetables and flowers. Joe also enjoyed visiting the Jersey Shore at Pt. Pleasant where he and Callie would fish together. He had a quick wit and enjoyed making people laugh. He will be missed greatly.

Besides his parents, Joe is preceded in death by his 2 sisters Lori and Rosemary. He is survived by his wife Callie, his brother Francis his wife Jane, his sister JoAnn and her husband Eric. He is also survived by his nieces Michelle, Kimberly and Alyson, and his nephews Joseph, Cody and Tyler as well as by his Aunt Bea in PA.

Friends may visit the family on Wednesday, January 25 from 4:00-7:00pm at the Sheenan Funeral Home in Dunellen. A brief funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 26 at 10:00am at the funeral home, followed by burial at Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains.

Memorials may be given to the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation at www. Ddcf.org

Joseph’s family wishes to extend sincere thanks to RWJ Hospital staff and Dunellen EMS.

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