Obituary of John Valmis

The end of an era and passing of a Stamford icon. John Valmis passed away on Monday, December 24, 2018, he was 95.  Born in Stamford in 1923, his parents were Bessie and Potias Valmis. John graduated from Stamford High School and served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He was with the 45th Division and awarded the Bronze Star with valor. He was married to Eleanor Pugliese of Greenwich.   He is survived by his daughters Jackie Carlson (Jack) of Kennesaw, Georgia and Bess Laliberte of Folsom, California. He is also survived by grandchildren Becky Linstroth (Jesse), Sarah Carlson, Elizabeth Carlson (Pieter), Alexis Sloustcher (Adam), and Paige Zayas (Ryan). He is also survived by three great-grandchildren Millie, Benji, and Rosie Linstroth as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

John was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangels. He retired from John Hancock's Mutual Insurance. He was involved in the community - especially in the area of sports - during his entire life. John served as Golf Commissioner at the E. Gainor Brennan  Golf Course  and was most visible officiating high school basketball games for nearly 50 years. John was one of the first basketball officials from Stamford to be chosen by the C.I.A.C. to officiate a state final championship game. In 1968, he became President of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials of Fairfield County. John also was one of the founders of the Stamford Umpires Softball Association and served as President for three terms. He was elected to the Stamford Old Timers Hall of Fame in 1987. 

Friends and family are invited to his memorial service this Friday, December 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Lacerenza Funeral Home, 8 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford, CT. 06902. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Challenged People In Motion, 44 Stafford Road, Stamford, CT. 06902.