Albany, NY - Dr. Valentino Fioravandi Tebbano, 96, passed into the arms of the Lord peacefully, with grace, courage and his loving family beside him on November 30, 2023 at the Teresian House in Albany. Valentino was born on February 23, 1927, the youngest child of Matteo and Annunziata Tebbano.  He is survived by his five children, Dr. Janice (Terrance) White of Saratoga Springs, Mark (Pamela) Tebbano of Atlanta, Georgia and Lake Luzerne, Dr. Richard Tebbano of Burbank, California, Steven Mattus (Tracy Halloran) of Fairfield, Connecticut and Nancy Mattus of Gansevoort.  His seven grandchildren are Andrew (Rebeca) Tebbano, Amy (Alejandro) Vidals, Lisa (Jeffrey) Palmer, Daniel (Gracie) Tebbano, Matthew (Katie Downes) White, Hayden and Campbell Mattus.  He is a great grandfather to Samuel, Emily and Nicolas Vidals, Chase and Cooper Palmer, Isabella (Ivy) Tebbano, Dominic and Vincent White. Twelve nieces and nephews and their families also survive him.

Val was predeceased by his loving wife Grace Buccafurri Tebbano, his parents Matteo and Annunziata Tebbano, sisters Carmela (Verni) Rispoli and their children Felicia and Albert, Julia (Jose) Rodriguez, Anthony (Mildred) Tebbano, Nicholas (Elsie) Tebbano, Anielo (Marie) Tebbano and their son Mark.   He was also predeceased by his mother-in-law Mary Buccafurri, and his sisters in law Carmella (Ralph) Canape and Frances (Tom) Palumbo.

Born in Schenectady, New York, Val was a graduate of Mont Pleasant High School. Immediately after graduation in June 1945 he entered the US Army, serving at the end of World War II.  After military service, he entered Siena College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.  He married Grace in 1949 after meeting her at a wedding where they were both attendants.  It was love at first sight, they said. He began his career as an educator in 1950 and shortly after completed a master's degree in education from SUNY Oneonta.  He taught elementary school and drove a bus in Broadalbin-Perth School District and then taught at Loudonville Elementary School in the North Colonie Central School District.  In 1958 he was appointed principal of West Albany Elementary School in the South Colonie School District and served that community with commitment and care for 20 years.  He pursued his goal of earning a doctoral degree and graduated with a doctorate in educational leadership in 1973 from the University at Albany. In 1978 he was appointed superintendent in the South Colonie Central School District. After retiring as superintendent in 1982 he continued his service as an assistant professor at The College of St. Rose in educational administration and then at State University at Plattsburgh supervising student teachers until 2002. His passion for learning and mentoring was a gift to many.

Carol Wojcik has been a loyal friend to him.  She and her husband John spent many years trailering, casinoing, crafting and playing cards with Val and Grace.  Carol and Val have sustained this friendship throughout the years.

After retirement, he enjoyed traveling with Grace to Italy, Greece, Florida and Las Vegas as well as trips to casinos, movies, shopping and playing pinochle with friends. Val was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Schenectady and was a faithful servant of the Lord, volunteering his time and gifts for decades as a lector, eucharistic minister, choir member, and a longtime member of a bible study group in Colonie.  He volunteered for several years at the Teresian House ministering communion and as a lector.  In 2017 he was given a Senior Lifetime Achievement Award from the Capital District Senior Issues Forum for his lifetime contribution to faith based service as an active senior over 85 years old.

The family wishes to acknowledge the loving and compassionate care provided by Father Brucker, Sister Theresa, Sister Jean, NP Jackie and the staff of the 6th floor at the Teresian House, especially RN Somali, LPN Ruth, Heather, Bernadette, Boyd, Emily, Wendy, Cece, and Cheri.  We also are thankful for the four years Val spent happily at Avila Retirement Community, making many friends.  The care team, especially Daniella, Linda, Jenny, Aysia and Sheena allowed him to have the independence and quality of life he wanted until he was 96.

To honor Val's life, relatives and friends may call from 11am-12pm, Thursday December 7, 2023 at St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following at noon. It will be live-streamed at stclementschurch.com .

Burial with military honors will follow at 1:30pm at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd. Schuylerville, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Teresian House Foundation, 200 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, New York, 12203, for pastoral care in memory of Valentino are appreciated.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.