Mario Valente

It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of our papa, Mario Valente, age 79, who left us peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his loving Italian family.

Papa was born August 1, 1945, in Pedivigliano, Italy, the third child of Carmelo & Paolina Valente. In 1960, Mario immigrated with his family to Salida, Colorado, and settled in Salt Lake City in 1963. He worked many jobs before working as a mechanic at Salt Lake City Fleet Management for 30 years. In his early years, he painted and pinstriped cars for extra money for his family. He retired at the age of 49. He then bought a dump truck and started Valente Trucking, which he owned and operated for nearly 10 years.

Mario married Annette Hansen on August 21, 1971. They were married for 48 years until her passing in 2019. He was a devoted father to his two daughters, Adriana and Santina, of whom he was immensely proud.

Papa was known for his strength, hard work ethic, deep loyalty to his family, infectious humor, and spontaneous remarks. He showed up, caused trouble, and spoke his mind. Papa was the first to dance and the last to leave any party. His favorite moments were spending time with his grandchildren & family dinners on Sundays. Papa enjoyed traveling back to his hometown, Pedivigliano in Calabria, Italy. He loved to play scopa, take trips to Wendover with his wife, and just drive around the town to check things out. He was a lifetime member of the Italian-American Civic League and was awarded Member of the Year.

Mario had a big personality that left a lasting impression on everyone he met. You never forgot him once you knew him. He had a deep love for music, especially Elvis Presley & Italian music. One song in particular, Elvis’s “My Way,” captured his spirit, his independence, and the way he lived life on his own terms.

He is survived by his daughters Adriana (Patrick) Cook, Santina (Lissa) Valente, 4 grandchildren, Kalen Cook, Logan Bettina (Nic) Roberts, Francesca & Luca Valente. His brother, Attilio (Terry) Valente, sister-in-law, Linda Valente. He is mourned by his nieces and nephews, who loved and cherished him deeply, his best friend, Tony Casella, and his favorite cousins, Norma Leone & Fulvio Barbiero.

Mario was preceded in death by his wife, Annette Valente, his parents, Carmelo Bino and Paolina Leone Valente, his sister, Bettina Chiodo, and brother, Florestano Valente.

Special thanks to his caregivers, Jenny Dunn and Dr. Steven Barker.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, June 25, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S 900 E, Millcreek, Utah. A second viewing on June 26, from 10:00 – 10:45 am. Funeral services will be held on June 26 at 11:00 am at Starks. Mario & Annette will be laid to rest at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery 275 North U Street (1252 E) Salt Lake City, Utah.

Papa, ci mancherai tantissimo. Riposa in pace. We Love you!