Valentino Giuseppe Zaffina, August 05, 1930 – January 20, 2025
Valentino Giuseppe Zaffina passed away peacefully in his home on January 20, 2025 at the age of 94 surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of 65 years to Teresa, nee Giudice. Devoted father to Giovanna, Rose (Sebastian Trojanowski), Lisa (Rich Johnson) and Sandra (Garyn Coulson). Loving son of Gennaro and Giovanna, nee Porchia. Dear brother of the late Domenico (the late Giulia Mussari), the late Rosa (the late Giuseppe Cicione), the late Maria Carmela (the late Domenico Prestia), the late Pietro (the late Francesca Porchia), the late Salvatore (Maria Tropea), the late Giuseppe, the late Teresa (the late Giuseppe Milione). Grandfather and loving Nonno to David York (Noni Sultansyah), Greg York, Christy Brooks, Laura York, Ryan York (Sara Bartyzel), Rachel Brooks (Grant Millette), Alek Trojanowski, Jack Kerth, Natalie Kerth, Olivia Kerth. Great Grandfather to Evelyn York, James York. Valentino was born in Sambiase, Lamezia Terme (Calabria) Italy on August 5, 1930, the seventh of eight children. At the age 19, he left Sambiase to join the Italian Military where he became Instructor to train and discipline new soldiers. Sadly, in 1953 his father Gennaro died at the age of 68 after a long illness so he returned to Sambiase to support his mother and family. In 1957, Valentino returned to the Italian Military where he became “Guarda Carceraria” or Penitentiary Guard where he was stationed in Palermo, Sicily. He spoke often of how he visited the magnificent Teatro Massimo Opera House. Valentino immigrated to America in 1960 and joined the (now) Ceramic, Tile and Terrazzo Union Local 21 Chicago and was an honorary member for 64 years and a 29 year retiree. In 1961, he began work for the John Caretti & Company who is mentioned in the publication Italians in Chicago – the selected Directory of Italians in Chicago – “Another field in which the Italians have been pioneers and in which they still predominate is that of Terrazzo Mosaic and Tile work. They gave beauty to the walls, but gave their American brother beauty underfoot” .. “it is they who have executed some of the beautiful mosaic work.” Valentino’s terrazzo can be found in McCormick Place, Union Station, Civic Center, Pumping Station, John Hancock, Chicago O’Hare Intntl Airport as well as many universities, hospitals, churches and businesses in the city or suburbs. Visitors to Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village can enjoy the main entrance made of terrazzo that Valentino poured which was constructed to emulate Saint Peters Square in Rome. He was proud of his craft and trade. He retold of an encounter with the former owner of the Merchandise Mart (John F Kennedy Jr) who made the mistake of removing construction tape while attempting to leave the building on a patch of floor that he was repairing. The young man was stopped and asked to use another exit. He apologized and complied. Afterwards, the foreman on the job said you just stopped the owner! Valentino replied “I don’t care he’s not supposed to walk on my floor”. Valentino loved his garden and making wine with his nephew the late Salvatore Prestia and dear family friend the late Pete DeFazio. He made the best Soppressata with his nephew the late Giovanni Prestia and sister in law the late Serafina Giudice. He was a master in his garage and basement workbench where he had a solution to fix just about anything. He could sing and play harmonica to just about any Italian song or Tarantella. Valentino told stories, jokes and spread cheer everywhere he went. In recent years, he much enjoyed the company of Mario Piombo, a dear friend from Terrazzo and Godfather to his daughter Lisa as well as his near and deeply loved niece Battistina Prestia nee Villella who never hesitated to offer help to her “Zu Pe”. A very special thanks to Fresenius Kidney Care Team in Schaumburg where Valentino spent the last six years receiving dialysis. The staff describe him as one of their best patients who even to his death never missed a treatment. He was known to be happy and singing songs during his visits no matter how difficult they may have been. Words cannot express how deeply Valentino will be greatly missed by his family, his friends and all who knew him, in America, Italy, Australia and Canada.
Phone: (630) 889-1700
Address: 450 W. Lake Street Roselle IL, 60172
Address: 729 Grand Canyon St. Hoffman Estates Illinois, 60169
Service Date: January 27th 2025
Funeral Time: 11:00 am
Posted by:
Lisa Zaffina
Posted on:
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Pa we will miss your smile, your voice singing like in this attached file, your immense heart that loved and cared for your family so much. Fly with the angels in the arms of God surrounded by all the ancestors that we talked about over the last 4 years. Pray for us and we will see you one day in the glory of Heaven where there is no pain no suffering only.joy.
Posted by:
Elizabeth christie
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Sunday, January 26, 2025
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louise palladino-campo
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Saturday, January 25, 2025
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Maitreyee and Sauvik Ghosh
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Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Posted by:
Rosa Zaffina
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Wednesday, January 22, 2025
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Patrizia Gazzi, Bologna, Italy
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Wednesday, January 22, 2025
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Marisa & Cris Vescio
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Wednesday, January 22, 2025
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Sandra Coulson
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Wednesday, January 22, 2025