Frank Valdes Jr.

August 12, 1928 – April 8, 2022

Frank Valdes Jr. was born in Tampa Florida on August 12, 1928 to Frank Valdes Sr. and Carmen Acosta Valdes. He had one sister Eloise who predeceased him.

Frank married Corinne Mendez in 1949. They were married 27 years and had 4 children – twin daughters Charlene (Charlie) Shine-Taylor (husband Bert) and Corrine (Coco) Faison Whitmire who predeceased him, but is now with him in the presence of the Lord. Daughter, Victoria (Papoose) Lee Barrett (husband Warren), and his only son Robert (Bobby) Valdes (wife Margarita). From those 4 children, he had 5 grand-sons, and 3 grand-daughters. From the grand-children he has 12 great-grand-sons and 2 great-grand-daughters. From his great-grands, he has 4 great-great grandchildren = 2 boys and 2 girls.

Frank leaves to mourn his loving wife of 46 years, Arlyne Valdes who he married in 1976. He had 2 step-daughters Leslie Friedman and Tracy McNally (husband Jay) and one step-son Glen Friedman. From his step children he has 5 step-grandchildren and 1 step-great grandchild.

Frank worked most of his adult life in management in the grocery industry. He learned the trade working in the family grocery store on Park Avenue in the late 1930’s.

True to his Cuban roots, Frank was a great dancer. He and his first wife Corinne appeared on Ted Steele’s Dance Party as finalists in a dance competition. He was the first one up to dance and we have the many pictures of him lovingly leading his wife Arlyne, his daughters and grands in a salsa to remind us how he loved to dance.

That energy didn’t stop on the dance floor, Frank was the life of any party. Wisecracking and a jokester, and also a shoot from the hip kind of guy – you never knew what Frank might say or do. However, those who knew him well realized underneath the brashness was a sensitive soul.

Frank may have got his love of the sea from his father who was a merchant marine. He owned his own boat on Long Island, NY and the family had many fond memories of the outings, where they fished, dug for clams, caught crabs and just spent time on the water. Even living in the desert of Arizona, Frank managed to keep the tradition of fishing alive creating lasting memories on many trips with his son Bobby and his grand-son Matthew.

At 92, Frank was still proud, and independent. He was driving the car when he and his wife Arlyne got into the accident that would regrettably separate them for the first time in 45 years. They both sustained broken sternums, multiple broken ribs and Frank’s fractured wrist – injuries that the doctors said was miraculous they made it out of the accident alive. Like another “Frank” who did it “his way”, Frank did things on his terms the 9 additional months we got with him.  While we wish the end of his life looked different, we consider it a blessing to be able to have seen to his needs and to have witnessed the raw vulnerability of this once proud, gruff man.

I Robert Valdes, the only son of an only son prayed with my father and told him how much I loved him. I left thinking I still had days, but 2 hours later at 5:20pm on 4/8/2022, Frank Valdes, 93 years old finally went peacefully home to be welcomed by the Lord into Heaven.

In life he was a devoted son, a beloved brother, adored husband, admired father, uncle, grand-father, great grand-father, great-great grandfather, loyal friend and hard worker.

I remind you all now of the message Frank said at the conclusion of his 90^th Birthday…”God Bless every one of you. When you leave here tonight, and go your own way, not only will I be riding with you, but you go with God. Thank you for all this. Amen!”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Frank to Hospice of the Valley, www.hov.org/donate, Phoenix, Arizona.

The viewing will be Friday, April 29, 2022 from 5-8:00pm.  The Celebration of Life Services will be from 10:00Am – 12:00pm Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Mountain View Funeral Home Chapel, 7900 E Main St., Mesa, AZ 85207. Reception to follow.