James Daniel Valenza

DURHAM -- Our son, brother, and friend, James Daniel Valenza, died suddenly at home in the early morning hours of Monday, February 27, 1995, of complications due to Cystic Fibrosis. Jim's death closed a very difficult year for he was spending almost as much time in the hospital as he was able to be at home. Jim graduated from Oyster River H. S. in 1985, and had attended classes at UNH for a period of time. Jim began working at The New England Center's restaurant during high school and progressed through the ranks, gaining experience that would eventually lead to a postion as line cook and chef.

James was an avid butterfly collector, sports and music enthusiast. He often assembled his insects in wall-hung display cases which he designed and constructed. These mini-environments, Jim's personal form of artwork, were given to family members and friends. James was especially fond of basketball and followed the college games very closely. He was very knowledgeable of the pro game and followed the Celtics with zest. Jim's eclectic collection of CDs numbered in the hundreds and was central in his relationships with family and friends. James possessed a wry sense of humor that often belied the seriousness of his illness. He enjoyed creative practical jokes and relished catching people off guard in amusing situations. His spirit and appreciation of life was admired by all who came to know him.

Jim had a special rapport with children; especially those of family, friends, and his younger fellow patients at Children's Hospital. He leaves a network of family and frieds, including CF patients and medical personel at Children's Medical Center in Boston. During his last few hospitalizations, Jim found himself willingly drawn into the difficult task of helping the doctors and nurses present and discuss the strategies available to his CF colleagues on 10 East to better deal with their illness.

James is survived by his mother and father, Anne Fitzgerald Valenza and Daniel L. Valenza of Durham; sisters Karen, Susan, Christine and her husband Thomas Shin; an extended family of step-mother Patricia M. Craig, her children and grand-children; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends may wish to make memorial donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 136 Harvey Road, Bldg. A, Londonderry, NH 03050