Thomas (Tom) M. Valenti , age 77 , of Little River , South Carolina peacefully passed March 12,2023.

Tom was born September 23, 1945, in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of four brothers. He taught high school English at Freeport High School, in Freeport, NY for 38 years. He retired and moved to Little River, South Carolina. He spent his days doing the things he loved. He spent much of his time on the beach, walking and collecting shells and shark teeth which he enjoyed giving to his one and only grandchild . Spent many hours, too many sometimes working on his yard in the oppressive SC heat.

He was a voracious reader and enjoyed sharing his latest authors and book series with his daughter and loved his lottery tickets, talking politics and interacting with is neighbors.

His greatest joy was talking to and seeing his only grandchild and watching her graduate and go to college.

He will be greatly missed and is survived by his daughter Melissa Heller, son Aaron Valenti , surviving brothers James Valenti and Leonard Valenti .

He was a good dad but an absolutely wonderful grandfather he was and will continue to be loved by children and granddaughter.

He will be returning to Little River where a memorial will be held for friends and family at a later date.