(June 7, 1952-July 16, 2002)

MADRID--Ernest Valente, 50, Individual Residential Alternative, 62 Route 31, died of a heart attack Tuesday in Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Potsdam.

 Born June 7, 1952, in Westchester, he was the son of Joseph and Nina Valente. He attended the Norwood Day Habilitation program daily at the Norwood Association for Retarded Citizens. Previously, he lived in Letchworth Village, Long Island, from 1960 to 1973, Bernard Fineson Developmental Disability Services Office, Queens from 1973 to 1988, and Sunmount DDSO, Tupper Lake, from 1988 to 1999.

 He enjoyed country music, being outdoors, camping and picnicking.

 Surviving besides his parents of Norwalk, Conn., is a sister, Jody Valente Francia, Trumbull, Conn.

 A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Phillips Memorial Home with Monsignor Robert L. Lawler, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church, officiating. The body will be cremated and burial will be at the family’s convenience.

 There will be no calling hours.

(Taken from the Thursday, July 18, 2002 edition of the Watertown Daily Times, page 31).