Obituary of John M. Valentín

John Valentín, born Juan de Mata Valentín y Rodriguez, passed away peacefully on June 27, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and cherished memories.  

John was born on February 8, 1930, in Santurce, Puerto Rico, to Ambrosio Valentín Acevedo and Georgina Rodriguez Medina. His siblings were Brunilda, an older sister who died soon after birth, his younger sister Georgina, and youngest sister Mary, who passed away in 2019. As a child, John loved playing baseball and going to the movies, but his fondest memories were of time spent with his grandmother, Doña Juana Medina Garcia, a devout Catholic who instilled in him a deep and enduring faith. It was she who gave him his name, Juan de Mata, in honor of Saint John of Matha.

At just 16 years old, following the deaths of both parents (his father in 1944 and mother in 1946), John took on the responsibility of caring for his younger sisters. In 1947, he and his sisters migrated to New York City, joining the wave of Puerto Rican families seeking new opportunities. It was here that they found comfort among their mother’s Medina relatives and the welcoming community of Central Baptist Church, where John would meet Reverend Enrique Millán and his daughter, Angélica (who would later become his wife). Determined to build a future, John balanced work and education. He enrolled at John Jay High School in 1947 and later attended Washington Irving Evening High School while working days at the Presto Pen Company. In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, proudly serving with the 545th Signal Supply Depot Company, 7th Army, in Germany. He was transferred to the Army Reserves in 1953 and honorably discharged in 1957. John always regarded his military service as a profound honor.

In 1954, John married Angélica Millán, and the newlyweds settled in Brooklyn before moving to Ottawa, Kansas, in 1958 so John could pursue a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Ottawa. He later earned a Master’s Degree from Indiana University's School of Social Work. His professional life was dedicated to public service, working with the NYC Department of Welfare, the NYC Division of Foster Care, ASPIRA, and Spence-Chapin. Throughout his career, he remained a fierce advocate for Latino youth and a lifelong champion for social justice. One of his most cherished memories was attending the 1963 March on Washington, where he stood by the Reflecting Pool, singing “We Shall Overcome” alongside thousands, and listening to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s electrifying speech—a defining moment that shaped his view of justice and community. John carried that spirit of service and justice throughout his life, extending it beyond his professional work to the churches he attended, where he remained deeply committed to giving freely of his time, talents, and wisdom. He believed that faith was not just a belief, but something to be lived out daily in community and service.

Retiring in 1995, John embraced new passions, enjoying gardening, cooking, and exploring flea markets. Yet, John's greatest source of pride was his family, whom he considered his greatest blessing. He is survived by his beloved wife, Angélica; their daughters, JoAnne, Rebecca, and Karen; their spouses, Paul, David, and Chris; grandchildren, Christopher (Kara), Aaron (Phedra), Julianne, David, Angélica, Emily, Caleb, Maya, and Justin; and great-grandchildren, Jacob, Fiona, and Danaé.

Visitation hours will be held on Monday, June 30^th  at Matthews Funeral Home, 2508 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314, from 1-3 pm and 7-9 pm, with a celebration of John’s life at 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to World Vision (www.worldvision.org), or New Hope Community Church, 77 Alaska Street, Staten Island, NY 10310.