Valentine (Val) J. Ottaviano, age 56, died Monday, March 31, 2008 at the VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, St Agnes Continuing Care Center in Philadelphia, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Born October 23, 1951, in Norristown, PA, Val was the son of the late Nicholas Ottaviano, and is survived by his mother Charlotte (Anzellotto) Ottaviano of Berwyn.
After graduating from the former AD Eisenhower High School, he followed in his grandfather and father's footsteps, and worked for almost 40 years on the railroad. He initially started as a brakeman, then continued his career as a freight conductor for the Reading, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern railroads. He has been a member of the United Transportation Union (UTU) since 1970. Specifically a member of Local 1375 in Abrams & Local 498 in Allentown. He was also a social member of the VFW, Post 32, in Lansdale. Val enjoyed his home in the Poconos, the Jersey Shore, and traveling around the world with his wife, Jane.
He was an avid horseracing enthusiast, and at one time was in the top 50 handicappers. He loved reading the racing forms and analyzing horse racing statistics. Val also attended the last 30 years of the Preakness Stakes and had always wished to go to the Keeneland racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky. Shortly after being diagnosed with cancer, he and long-time friend Stan Levinsky, achieved that wish, and attended the Keeneland Blue Grass Stakes last April.
Val is survived by his wife, Jane Wormeck of Overbrook, son Eric Ottaviano of West Chester, former wife, Leslie Szafranski, of Wayne, three sisters, Carol Goldstein (husband Howard) of North Wales, Lisa Jeffers (husband Michael) of Collegeville, and Regina McNaughton (husband John) of Orange County, California, two brothers, Nicholas (wife Tina) of Collegeville and Matthew (wife Renee) of Tampa, Florida, two nieces, six nephews and his 100 yr old grandmother Elizabeth DiLucia of Norristown.
Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 10:00 AM at SS. Cosmas and Damian Church, 209 W. 5th Ave., Conshohocken, PA. The Viewing will be from 8:00-9:30 AM at the Emil J. Ciavarelli Family Funeral Homes, 516 Fayette St., Conshohocken, PA. Interment will be in St. Augustine Cemetery, King of Prussia.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to the American Cancer Society, Memorial and Honor Gifts, PO Box 897, Hershey, PA 17033, www.cancer.org, are appreciated.
The family would like to thank the 5th floor staff of the VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, St. Agnes Continuing Care Center in Philadelphia.
David O'Hara
Longtime friend from St.Francis & Hamilton Street. Fun Times, Good Guy.