Almondo "Armand" Arthur Vallone

Almondo A. Vallone (nee Armand Avallone), 88, U.S. Army (Ret.) received his final military post assignment on August 12, 2018. We are comforted that this big-hearted jokester departed with no pain and regrets too few to mention. He died as he lived -- embracing his Italian heritage and celebrating life with family and friends. Val was born October 8, 1929 in the small mill town of Carthage, New York., the baby of a tight-knit, immigrant family. Called "swivel-hips" by one sports reporter for his evasive running style, he was a high school football star and starting guard on the basketball team. After high school, he enlisted in the Army, where he learned that his legal name was not Armand Avallone. Rather than take the time to fix the administrative error and risk missing enlisting with his buddies, he figured, “What the hell! I don’t mind having a different name for a couple of years.” His anticipated two-year enlistment turned into a 26-year career with service all over the globe including Korea, occupied Germany, Japan, and Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. He was awarded numerous medals, including the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal, before retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer in 1976. His next career was as the first Director of Safety and Security at St.Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, and he went back to school, earning a degree in criminology at USF. Upon retirement, he explored the world, retracing his parent's journey from Italy and discovering a village full of relatives. Our beloved Poppa Val is predeceased by his parents, Antonio and Maria Leanna Avallone; and siblings, James, Frank, Alfred Avallone, and Mary Miga. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children, Thomas (Debra), Michelle Salvato (Gary), Joseph (Debra); and bonus kids, Peggy Tyre (Michael), Tracey Shadday (Larry), David Munton, Penny Carnathan (Ben); 17 admiring grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. A service will take place at First United Methodist Church of Lutz on Thursday August 18, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Words of comfort may be expressed for Armand's family by clicking on the “Share a Memory” link below.