Andres D. Valentin “Andy” passed away peacefully on October 20, 2018 at New York Presbyterian Hospital after a long illness. He leaves behind a very large loving family: wife Christine, son Matthew, daughter Tara, 5 sisters -Elba, Luisa (Delfin), Connie, Frances and Auria and brother Juan Jr. “Pucho” (Fatima). He predeceased sisters- Benita, Rosa and brother Hector.
Multiple loving nieces and nephews and their respective families (Mickey, Raul, Lymari, Rosie, Basilio, Luis, Gladys, Wanda, Sandra, Lisi, Lila, Hector Jr., Kathy, Silkia, Tony, Robert, Juan III, Luisa, Joey, Adora, Connie, Kevin, Sabrina and Samantha, many, many more great and grand nieces and nephews will miss him.
Andy was born the 8th of 10 children (the youngest son) to Juan and Monserrate Valentin on September 4, 1955 in Isabela, Puerto Rico. The family moved to the Bronx when he was about 4 years old. He grew up in the Bronx and when he was going into his second year of Alfred E. Smith High School for auto mechanics (in which he excelled) he returned to Puerto and finished High School there.
Andy returned to New York when he graduated to find work. He met Christine Valentin (nee Paoli) in May 1975 and they were married in July 1980. Their daughter Tara was born in September 1981 and a son, Matthew followed in March 1985.
Andres worked for the Carlyle Hotel Garage for 28 years. He was a very valued and conscientious employee, never late nor absent for many years in a row.
Following his love for auto mechanics, Andy could frequently be seen helping individuals with any type of auto problem, which he generally was able to fix in the least expensive manner. One nephew once described him as the original MacGyver…… (“Uncle Andres could make anything run with a paperclip and rubber band!”)
In his neighborhood, he has been described as the guy you could ask and get advice that worked about your car, mechanical appliances and electronics. If he was able, he would also lend a hand in helping perform what he had advised someone of doing.
He was loved and will be missed.
Reposing Wednesday October 24, 2018 from 4-8 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. Mass of Christian Burial Thursday 9:45 am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church. Committal private.