Harold Richard Valentine, social individual
Harold Richard Valentine of Selbyville, known universally as Dick, died Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, of natural causes. Dick was born in Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 21, 1937.
He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Hazel (Bleacher) Valentine; a brother, Charles Valentine; a sister, Patricia Valentine; two grandsons, Justin Valentine and Ronald Snyder Jr.; and a son-in-law, Ronald Snyder.
He retired from James F. Wild Inc. as a paint and autobody salesman in 1998 and moved to Sussex County soon thereafter. He is survived by a son, Richard (Rick) S. Valentine and his wife Anna Marie; a daughter, Stefany Snyder; and a daughter Sheila Bortzfield and her husband James; and eight grandchildren: Tera Fazal and her husband Rahim, Randi Jo Valentine, Alex Valentine, Crystal Snyder, Christopher Iddings and Cody Iddings; and nine great-grandchildren.
Dick was an extremely social individual belonging to several fraternal and service organizations, among them Selbyville Lodge 2173 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, East Sussex Lodge 2542 of the Loyal Order of Moose, American Veterans Post 22 in Long Neck and American Legion Post 17 in Lewes; he enjoyed visiting the American Legion and AMVETS posts with his friend Pete and was beloved by the staff and members of each organization. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and boating until the infirmities of age caused him to curtail these pursuits.
Pete Loewenstein was a very special friend to Dick. He looked forward to a daily phone call from Pete which started that day’s adventure.
During his final years he was lovingly cared for by his granddaughter Tera and her husband Rahim, known to Dick only as Rosie, with whom he lived. He was especially enamored with their youngest daughter Maiya, or as he called her Myra.
Among those who came to know him over his time in Sussex, few would disagree that he was a truly nice person.
Per Dick’s wishes, there will be no public memorials.
Online condolences can be made by visiting, www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
