Former Grosse Pointe Park resident Mark Valente III passed away in his home in Springfield, VA on August 3, 2016. 

Mark was born July 27, 1956, in Detroit, MI. He graduated in 1974 from University Liggett School, earned an accounting degree from his beloved Villanova University, class of 1978, then went on to earn a Law Degree from the University of Detroit School of Law. 

Mark left Grosse Pointe in 1984 to work in the Office of Public Liaison at the White House under President Ronald Reagan. In 1986, he became the Director, Coalition Development Department at the Republican National Committee. In 1989 Mark worked as Director, in the Office of Congressional Relations, at the US Office of Personnel Management for President George H.W. Bush. After leaving government service, Mark formed a Washington, DC based government relations firm, Valente & Associates, providing legislative analysis and government relations advice. He worked there until his death.

Mark was elected to the Grosse Pointe Park city council at age 24, the youngest in the city's history and was the president of the Detroit Young Republicans during that time. 

Most recently Mark, a proud grandson of Italian immigrants who emigrated from Abruzzo, Italy, served on the national board of the National Italian American Foundation where he held the leadership role as chairman of the Public Policy and Government Relations Committee and was a board member of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. Also, he chaired the Board of the Center for Marketing and Public Policy Research at Villanova University School of Business. Mark was a long-time supporter of the Baseball Hall of Fame (HOF) and a member of its Champions Program. He was a frequent host of and participant in the HOF events in Washington, DC and other baseball cities. 

A member of the Detroit Athletic Club, Capitol Hill Club in Washington, DC and Springfield Golf and Country Club in VA. 

Mark was a devoted Detroit Tigers fan and loved to play golf with his friends. He also was a coach and umpire for Little League and Grosse Pointe Park Babe Ruth league. 

Mark is survived by his wife Claudia (Barker), mother Maria (Ballerini), father Marco Jr., brothers: JB, Richard, Dean, and brother-in-law Craig Barker, nieces and nephew and twelve godchildren. Mark was predeceased by his grandparents Ballerini and Valente.

A memorial service is planned at St. Clair of Montefalco Catholic Church, located at the corner of Mack Avenue and Outer Drive in Grosse Pointe Park on August 25th at 10:30 am. Visitation at 10 am. 

A second memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 14th at 2:00 pm at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 313 2nd Street SE, Washington, DC. Followed by a reception at the Capitol Hill Club. 

In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be directed to the scholarship being established in the name of Mark Valente III at Villanova University School of Business, ATTN: Clay Center at VSB, 800 E. Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085. 

Memorial Service
Thursday, August 25, 2016 10:30 AM
St. Clare of Montefalco
1401 Whittier Rd.
Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230