`Valley is easy place to get involved, lawyer says`

Joe Valentino biography at a glance

By Jennifer Hall
Herald Staff Writer

Text text text text text Over the years Joseph P. Valentino has made a commitment to the Shenango Valley - at times sacrificing time with his family for public service. But while it was a sacrifice, it was something that he wanted and even felt he had to do.

"There are times with any community activity that you feel it becomes very demanding,'' he said. "It's a sacrifice for you and for your family but you have to have a very understanding family and understand that if you and others don't get involved it's not going to get done."

Scattered about Valentino's law office in Sharon are pieces of his life including pictures of his family.

joe valentino photo

Lawyer Joseph Valentino enjoys community service and says he believes, simply, that if you don't do it, it won't get done. (David E. Dale/Herald)

Valentino's community involvement began almost 30 years ago when he moved to the Shenango Valley. And his reasoning for it is simple: Somebody has to do it.

"If everybody just withdrew totally, where would we be?" he said. "It's my impression that you have to give. Everyone has to give to their community in a positive manner so that the community becomes a better place to live.''

This year Valentino was named a Buhl Day honoree.

"I was shocked because I feel I've made a very small contribution," the 54-year-old said. "I thought there were many others who have done a lot more over the years for the community and truthfully I thought I was too young to be an honoree.''

When Valentino graduated from law school, he was faced with a decision - where to practice.

But the atmosphere and the fact that in a smaller community he would actually get to practice law led to his decision to settle here. And since he started in 1967, he has watched Routman, Moore, Goldstone & Valentino grow from three members to 11.

"I never imagined that we would grow like this,'' Valentino said of his law firm. "We've got an excellent bunch of lawyers - the best in the state.''

The New Castle native believes the people in the Shenango Valley are the "greatest anywhere."

"The people have a very positive approach to their community and are very giving of their time," he said. "I think they appreciate the quality of their life and are eager to develop it positively."

And the man who serves on a variety of boards and committees in the community feels it's easy to get involved in the Shenango Valley.

"It's easy to become excited over things," Valentino said.

The Shenango Valley is not the only place that Valentino has been recognized. In 1995, he was named to the Allegheny College Hall of Fame. He was a guard and tackle for the Meadville school's football team.

His one passion is the youth of the community. Valentino was instrumental in starting the Shenango Valley Children's Transplant Fund, which was the first of its kind in the nation.
"I could see that organ transplantation was the thing of the future,'' he said. "And now I think that if we weren't here some parents wouldn't be able to be with those children in the hospital because of financial reasons.''

Valentino is also a strong supporter of Buhl Farm in Hermitage and F.H. Buhl Club in Sharon because of the good the two do for the young people in the community. He runs the golf scramble that raises about $20,000 annually to support the trust that keeps the Hermitage park going.

"I'm a firm believer that the greatest asset that the community has is its youth," he said. "And adults should be responsible for providing the youth with positive outlets."

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Updated August 29, 1996