Attorney Joseph Paul Valentino of St. Paul Homes, West Salem Township, formerly of Hermitage, passed away peacefully at 5:25 a.m. Wednesday (7-22-15) in UPMC Horizon, Farrell, following an extended illness. He was 73. Joe was born Dec. 6, 1941, in New Castle, one of three children born to Harry and Louise Toscano Valentino. He graduated from New Castle High School in 1959. He matriculated to Allegheny College, Meadville, where he earned his bachelor of arts degree and was a standout guard and tackle for the Gators football team. In 1963, his senior year, he was co-captain for the Gators. He belonged to Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. Joe would later be inducted into the Allegheny College Sports Hall of Fame. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Cleveland. Joe was a civil trial lawyer in practice for many years with Routman, Moore, Goldstone and Valentino. He later held his own private practice, Joseph P. Valentino P.C. He was a member of Notre Dame Church, Hermitage. Joe was past president and member of the Mercer County Bar Association, what was then Sharon Country Club, and Western Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association, and served on the alumni board of Allegheny College. Mr. Valentino served on several community boards over the years including UPMC Horizon, Integra Bank, what was then Kennedy Christian and what was then the F.H. Buhl Club, United Way of Mercer County (chair), and the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyer Association. He belonged to Farrell Wolves Club and Sharon University Club. His one passion was the youth of the community and he was instrumental in starting the Shenango Valley Children's Transplant Fund, which was the first of its kind in the nation. He was the first tournament director for the Buhl Farm Park 27-hole golf scramble to benefit the park. He was honored by its committee in 2015 as they renamed it the Joe Valentino 27-Hole Golf Scramble. Mr. Valentino was honored for his boundless charity several times in past years. In 1996 he was chosen by the Buhl Day Committee as their honoree, and in 1999 he received the Shenango Valley Chamber's Volunteer of the Year Award. His wife, the former Stephanie Amico, whom he married June 18, 1964, survives. He also is survived by two daughters, Lisa Newmeyer and her husband Ed, and Traci Valentino and her husband Jay Fazzone; four grandchildren, Alivia Newmeyer, Joey Fazzone and Megan Geisel, all Hermitage; and Gary Newmeyer, Durango, Colo.; and two great-grandchildren, Will and Byron Geisel. He also leaves his brother, Harry Valentino, Gallatin, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jeanne Valentino. His family suggests that in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in his memory to please consider one of the following: Buhl Farm Park, 715 Hazen Road, Hermitage, PA 16148; Shenango Valley Children's Transplant Fund, c/o FNB 3320 E. State Street Hermitage, PA 16148; or St. Paul's, 339 East Jamestown Road Greenville, PA 16125. Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday (7-24-15) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St. Sharon. Service: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday (7-25-15) in Church of Notre Dame, 2325 Highland Road, Hermitage. Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.