Benedetto “Benny” Valerio, 82, of Honesdale, died peacefully on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at his home surrounded by family and loved ones. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Lina Scarfalloto. The couple met at a dance in Manhattan and married in Brooklyn on February 13, 1966.
Born on October 28, 1938 in Monreale, Sicily, Italy, he was the son of the late Giovanni and Anna (Spinnato) Valerio. A butcher by trade, Benny moved to the US in 1964 and continued work as a butcher and taxi driver in Brooklyn, NY. He later moved to Honesdale to join his brothers-in-law, Joseph Scarlalloto and John Squatrito, in the newly-opened Two Guys From Italy restaurant in Honesdale. Benny later opened Benny and John’s Restaurant in Hamlin (now John’s) with John Squatrito and then Benny’s Restaurant in Forest City. He later opened La Villa Restaurant in Honesdale in the early 90s. After selling La Villa, he spent much of his time giving assistance to his son John at Two Guys from Italy before stepping away from work life completely in the mid 2010’s.
Benny enjoyed hunting and working in his garden. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale.
Also surviving is his daughter Anna Valerio of Honesdale; his sons John Valerio and wife Natasha of Bethany and Salvatore Valerio and wife Jennifer of Lakeville; his brothers Giuseppe of Italy and Francesco Valerio of Hazelton; sisters Francesca Valerio-LaMalfa and Ninfa Valerio-Cancemi both of Italy; grandchildren Leonardo Martinez-Valerio, Arianna, Alexander Benedetto, Aemilia, Sophia and Ben Valerio.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at St. John the Evangelist Church in Honesdale at 10 am. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Friends may visit Hessling Funeral Home, Inc., 428 Main St. Honesdale on Tuesday, 5-8pm.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Wayne Co. Food Pantry, 323 10th Street, Honesdale, PA 18431 or St. John the Evangelist Parish, 414 Church St. Honesdale, PA 18431.
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