Phinehas G. Valenti

July 9, 1927 - December 11, 2018

Phinehas G. Valenti, 91, of New Britain, beloved husband of Rebecca (Raimondo) Valenti, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, December 11, 2018. Born on July 9, 1927, in New Britain to the late Giovanni and Vincenza (Augiello) Valenti, Phinehas began working at Fafnir Bearings, after his graduation from New Britain High School in 1945. He met the love of his life, Rebecca, at the Bethel Alliance church as they were childhood sweethearts, and were married for 71 years. He attended the Juilliard School of Music and became the Music Minister, organist, pianist and choir director at Bethel where he volunteered his time and talents for over 60 years. While still working at Fafnir Bearings, he began to build his private piano student clientele where it grew and thrived as he taught many generations of young people in New Britain and surrounding towns. He also studied the technique of piano tuning and repair, and was the piano tuner for the New Britain School system, and tuner throughout the Greater Hartford area both privately and for organizations. He was also a frequent performer for many charity events in the area. He was a member of the Piano Technicians Guild and served as the President for the Rhode Island Chapter. A frequent charity performer at functions for the New Britain General Hospital (now Hospital for Special Care.) At the age of 72, he partnered with the Cancer Center and recorded a special “Hymns of Praise” CD, that features his own arrangements of hymns and classical pieces which he recorded himself, teaching himself the technology necessary to do so, all being performed on a Steinway Grand Piano that he rebuilt. He always was available to donate his time and talent to churches who were in need of an organist and pianist: First Baptist Church of Plainville, and the Bethany Covenant Church in Berlin (all of this while he was “semi retired”) He loved spending time at his home in Rhode Island enjoying leisure and family time, especially with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, his children Matthew Valenti and his wife Barbara, of New Hartford; Celeste Sherman and her husband Stuart of Bristol; Cheryl Hilton and her husband Robert of East Hampton. His grandchildren: Heather Erin Johnson, Maura Valenti, Amanda Sherman, Abby Sherman, and Robert Hilton, jr. His great grandchildren: Faith and Jack Johnson. His sisters: Dinah Raimondo, and Priscilla Dombroski, along with many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Lois Adorno. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 20th, from 4- 7 pm, at the Carlson Funeral Home , 45 Franklin Square in New Britain, and the celebration of his life will take place on Friday, December 21, at 11:00 am, also at Carlson’s Funeral home. For directions or condolences, please visit Carslonfuneralhome.com