Jay 'Rudy' Valentino

Jay “Rudy” Valentino 68, Born October 4, 1950. On April 16, 2019 from his residence in Valatie, Jay went home to be with the Lord after succumbing to a protracted illness.  He was born in Germany and subsequently orphaned. The orphanage, administrated by the Catholic Church, eventually was able to locate paternal relatives in the United States and “Rudy” was sent to Cohoes, NY to live with his paternal uncle, Frank Valentino, and his wife Theresa, both of whom predeceased him.  He remained a resident of New York State and lived in many of its cities and towns from NYC to Albany, Troy, and Catskill, among many others. As a young adult Jay became ensnared by drug addiction and this was his life long battle.  In 1979 Jay became involved with the organization Prison Fellowship, founded by Chuck Colson. He discovered there that he had a Savior and although he remained a captive to addiction he trusted in his Savior to deliver him and he died confident in that assurance. Jay was affable and energetic he thoroughly enjoyed playing games especially backgammon and cards. He loved to sketch. He loved music, storytelling, street poetry, and coffee! He loved giving gifts however small to whomever he encountered. Jay is survived by his offspring; Regina Valentino, Gino Valentino, Jasmine Basham (who was adopted as an infant by Silas and Margaret Basham), and Angelina Eldred.                                                                                                                               Friends and relatives are invited to visit on Friday April 26, 2019 at 6PM with a memorial service at 7PM at Gospel Community Church in Coxsackie, NY. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Teen Challenge https://teenchallengeusa.org/how-to-help. Please visit www.mcloughlinmason.com.