James A. "Jim" Valente, of Medford, died at the Epoch Senior Nursing Center in Melrose on Sept. 18, 2013 at the age of 92. Jim was born in Boston, raised in Medford and a graduate of Medford High School, Class of 1939. He served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII and survived the Battle of Iwo Jima. After the war, he served in the Army for most of his life and retired at the age of 65. Jim also worked for the U.S. Postal Service, working for over 30 years at the South Boston Postal Annex. He resided in Medford for most of his life and was a member of the Melrose Elks Club. Jim was great at telling stories & jokes and loved to play games with his grandchildren. He was a crazy Boston Red Sox fan, a great cook "especially lasagna" and enjoyed making breakfast for his family. Jim loved to go to Saratoga Race Track for over 20 years with family & friends and enjoyed his "Brandy & Candy". Jim was the beloved husband of Claire C. Valente. Loving father of Patricia Parker & her husband Stephen of Saugus, Bradford Valente & his wife Jeanne of NH, Christopher Valente & his wife Patricia of Hanover, Paul Valente & his wife Trina of Wilmington, Mary Beth McConaghy & her husband Robert, John Valente & his wife Lisa, all of Melrose, Regina Salsman & her husband Ernie of Malden, Donna Murphy & her husband Richard of Melrose and the late James Valente Jr., the late Robert Valente and his late wife Mary & the late Richard Valente. Father in law of Jacqueline Valente of Salem. Devoted brother of Ann Gee of AZ & the late Norma Deschamps and the late Mary Blouin. Also survived by 18 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and many nieces & nephews. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Monday, Sept. 23rd at 8AM. A Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary's Church, Herbert St., Melrose at 9AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours on Sunday from 2-6PM. Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jim's name to the James A. Valente Scholarship Fund at Colgate University, C/O Patricia Caprio, 13 Oak Dr., Hamilton, NY 13346.