Emilio Javier Valdes' Obituary
Emilio Javier Valdes loving father, son, brother, uncle, cousin & friend to many, passed suddenly and peacefully at age 57 on Monday, February 3rd, 2025.
Emilio was born on October 2nd, 1967, in Paterson, NJ to Emilio F. Valdes & Miriam E. Valdes. Emilio spent his childhood & high school years in Middletown, New Jersey. As a youth he loved playing baseball, football & getting into trouble, especially if he could rope others into his plot. He graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in 1985, where he was a varsity wrestler.
He would earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Albright college in Reading PA. It was during this time that he fell in love with the Grateful Dead and attended many of their concerts, which often involved road trips with his friends to go see them in different states. He also studied abroad one semester in Salamanca, Spain. After college he traveled Europe staying in youth hostels and visiting several countries and partying in each and every one of them.
After college, he would become a Financial Advisor on Wall Street. He enjoyed helping his clients with their financial goals. During the turbulent years following 9/11, he and his partner worked tirelessly to stabilize their client’s finances. They rewarded for the efforts with this business front page article in the New York Times.
CORPORATE CONDUCT: INVESTING; 2 Brokers Offer Warm ... - The New York Times
He married Lauren Baird and they would have 2 children, Brianna & Brandon. They raised their children in Middletown, NJ. Emilio was a loving caring father who often said he loved his kids more than words could tell. They loved to go to his favorite Cuban places in the city and play mini golf. He loved to cheer them on in their sports games and Brianna and Brandon always looked forward to him blasting AC/DC and singing along on the way to games.
In 2016, Emilio’s health would take a turn for the worse. He was eventually diagnosed with a brain tumor. While the operation to remove the brain tumor was successful, it left Emilio with permanent vision impairment. He found great comfort and support from the blind community at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually impaired. He handled his new challenges with tremendous positivity and perseverance. Emilio’s resilience to keep fighting and tenacity to never give up. He inspired everyone who met him and always made them smile. His spirit was strong and will continue to live on forever.
Emilio loved music and to have a good time. He always brought the fun and lit up every room he walked in. His energy and laugh were contagious. He loved being around people, making them smile, telling jokes and of course taking/giving a few jabs in a fun way. He was an avid Yankee fan an attended many games with Brianna & Brandon in the Bronx. His passion for baseball and the NY Yankees was a common thread he shared with his whole family, especially his two brothers John and Carlos. During the baseball season, almost every conversation would have a Yankee comment or two. He also like to root for the Dallas Cowboys no matter how well or how bad the Cowboys were doing that year.
Emilio will be missed by all, but especially his children Brianna and Brandon, their mother Lauren, his parents Emilio and Miriam, his brother Carlos and his wife Tina, his brother John and his wife Antonia and Emilio’s niece and nephews, Andres, Nicolas, Alex, Ryan & Kathyrn Valdes. Rest in PEACE Emilio…. we love you and you will remain in our stories and our hearts forever.
There will be a viewing from 6 - 10:30pm this Friday, February 7th starting at 6pm to 10:30pm at:
Memorial Plan of Westchester
9800 SW 24th Street
Miami, FL
There will be a prayer ceremony at about 7:30. There will also be snacks and drinks as you all know Emilio loved to have a party.
We are also planning a Mass and Celebration of Life for Emilio Javier at a later date (4-6 weeks) in Miami. Details to follow.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider a donation to the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. This organization helped Emilio tremendously and was a community filled with amazing people that embraced him, supported and cared for him through his visually impaired challenges.
https://secure.miamilighthouse.org/Donations.asp
Once you open the page, click on General Support. Please use the description field of the Payment Form to indicate your gift is being made in Emilio Valdes honor. Notifications of your gift can be sent to:
Emilio Valdes
10209 S.W. 21st Terrace
Miami, FL 33165
In the words of the Grateful Dead:
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul
With peace & love to Emilio and all those that knew him.
What’s your fondest memory of Emilio?
What’s a lesson you learned from Emilio?
Share a story where Emilio's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Emilio you’ll never forget.
How did Emilio make you smile?