Obituary of Thomas J. Valley

Thomas J. Valley, 92, passed away peacefully November 4, 2023, with his beloved wife of 65 years, Marie, by his side.  He was born April 10, 1931 in Medford, Massachusetts the son of Louis E. and Elizabeth (Darragh) Valley.

Tom grew up in Medford and Winthrop, MA with his parents and four siblings.  He joined the Air Force in 1952, and was later stationed at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, Maine where he met his close friend and long-time business partner, Michael Eremita.  Tom and Mike took a leap of faith, left the Air Force, and started out building houses.  Through hard work, perseverance, the grace of God, and even more hard work, built an impressive real estate portfolio and a successful business which continues to grow after 65 years.

While Tom was successful in business, his true gift was that of husband and family man.  He married a nurse named Marie Binnette of Old Town in 1958, and together they raised five children, later welcoming the addition of their children’s spouses into the family.  He cherished their grandchildren, and each one had a special relationship with Nana & Pappy as they are affectionally known.  The loyalty, love, generosity and kindness to their children and their families endured through the years, with laughter and love always drying any tears that would arise.  While the Valley family gatherings have grown through the years, and Nana and Pappy may have gone to bed earlier than they used to, they were the ultimate hosts and facilitators of the gatherings.  It is difficult to consider Tom without Marie when discussing him as a family man given their unparalleled union as one; they shared almost all of their days, meals, secret glances and winks, and had mastered the romance of handholding.

Tom was a people-person who always had a story to tell.  He loved to laugh, and he could always find the positive side.  If you had a struggle or a bad day, he could turn your mood around with a witty reply or a joke.  He was there with advice, whether you wanted it or not.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife Marie, his sons Anthony (Tony) Valley and his wife Jeannie of Brewer, ME, Joseph Valley and his wife Cindy of Holden, ME, and John Valley and his wife Allison, of Holden, ME; daughters, Elizabeth (Betsy) Lingren and her husband Rob of Beverly, MA, and Mary Valley of Bangor, ME; fifteen grandchildren: Benjamin Valley, Sheri Schmidt and husband Robert, Jacob Valley and wife Kirston, Spencer Valley, Sam Valley and fiancée Alex, Brody Valley, Gabe Valley, Claire Valley, Tyler Shanklin, Thomas Lingren, Samantha Lingren, Robbie Lingren and wife Taylor, Adelaide Valley, Aidan Valley, and Rowan Valley; great grandchildren, Anthony Schmidt, Jeffrey Schmidt, Logan Schmidt and Grainger Lingren. Tom is also survived by the Eremita families, his sister-in law Ame Valley, many special nieces and nephews, along with many employees whom he thought the world of. In addition to his parents, Tom was predeceased by his sisters Rita Bolton, Louise Sacco, and Claire Powers, his brother Frances Valley, and his business partner and friend Mike Eremita.

The family would like to express a special thank you to those providing care to Tom at the end of his life.

In lieu of flowers, Tom would prefer you help someone in need or donate to a favorite charity.