Charles Mettler Valentine

Charles “Pat” Mettler Valentine III, beloved husband, father, mentor, teacher, and friend, passed away November 30, 2024, one month short of 92 years. He was born January 4, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Smith Creek and raised his family in St. Clair, Michigan. In the early 1980’s, he moved his family to Jacksonville, Florida and resided in Ponte Vedra Beach.

 Pat was proud to serve in the United States Army in the early 1950’s and was honorably discharged. Before returning home, he toured Europe. While in Florence, Italy, he met Luana, and a few years later returned to marry her. They celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage in Florence in the year 1957 and have been together for 67 years. 

 His Catholic faith and involvement in the church were a priority in his life. At the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Jacksonville, he served as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and lector, and he sat on the Board of Directors for the cause of the sanctification of Venerable Luisa Piccarreta. He had a passion for reading the letters and writings of Luisa Piccarreta “Daughter of the Divine Will”.

 Pat earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Michigan Technological University and graduated in 1961. He then joined his father’s Architectural firm, Chas. M Valentine Associates. He worked on the design of and supervised the construction of many Michigan schools, including the MTU Administration Building, several Catholic churches, and led the first phase of the construction of the State of Michigan Secondary Complex. Reverend “Cardinal” Szoka and Pat worked together to design and construct the Catholic Church (St. Albert the Great) on the MTU campus. He earned his Pilot's license so he could fly to many different job sites all over the state. He earned his Architecture License, and did work for the Diocese of Detroit, on the design and construction of several Senior Living Centers. 

 After he moved to Florida in 1982, he joined VRL Architects, hired on as a Project Architect/Engineer for the JTA Skyway and the Universal Studios “JAWS”. He remained with VRL until he retired in 1998. During his retirement he remained a consulting architect, as teacher and mentor for multiple Southeast US architectural firms. Vermay Architects, ET Boggess Architects, KBJ Architects, Pappas Architects, and VIA Concepts. During this time, Pat accepted a special project and was asked to design the House of Sanctification Retreat Center to be built in San Sebastian de Garabandal, a village in the mountains of Northern Spain. After the design, he was asked to supervise the construction of the project. It was a very unique project since the area was so remote, and there was limited technology and machinery, therefore, it was constructed the “old fashioned way”.

 Upon his return from Spain, Pat was offered the position as Senior Aviation Architect with RS&H for the Jacksonville Florida Airport expansion, Flint Michigan Bishop Airport, Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport and continued to work full time for the next ten years. He finally retired from paid work at the age of 77. 

 As a true engineer and architect, Pat was always looking for ways to find a solution, to do it right, and to do it best. He consistently showed love and compassion and followed St Paul's direction to “encourage one another and build one another up”. He would often say, “You’re a Champion!” and “I see a twinkle in your eye!”. Pat leaves many grandchildren and great-grandchildren with cherished memories of time with their Papa.

 Pat is survived by his wife, Luana; son, Charles “Chuck” Valentine IV; daughters, Soraya (Bill) Nowland, Gigi (George) Streeter, Colette Valentine, Desiree (Rick) French, and Alexia (Paul) Wise. Fourteen grandchildren, Patrick Nowland, Lina Nowland, Lucas Nowland, Gina Nowland, Sarah (Justin) Deason, Michael Masterson, Lindsey (Ryan) Loutsis, Nick “Tito” Valentine, Pia Valentine, John “Francis” (Carrie) Valentine, Charlie (Gary) Ogilvie, Dillon French, Kip French, and Allessandro Adams. Seven great-grandchildren, Patton Nowland, Brendan December, Nova Deason, Aurora Valentine, Killian, Kyler, and Katerina Valentine. Sisters-in-Law, Beverly Valentine, Maria Angela Scatizzi, and Gabriella Scatizzi; Brother-in-Law, Joe DiDuca.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Charles & Dorothy Valentine and in-laws, Alberto & Narcisa Scatizzi; brother, Thomas Valentine; Sisters and Brother-in-Laws, Dorothy (William) Kuhn, Beatrice DiDuca, Charlotte (Gordon) Hoyem, Judy (Mike) Hayden, George Prine, and Enrico Scatizzi.

 The family will receive visitors from 6:00-8:00 PM Monday, December 16, 2024, a Rosary will be prayed from 6:30-7:00 PM at Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home, 3600 3rd Street, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. 

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 PM Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

 In lieu of flowers, Gifts in memory of Charles “Pat” Valentine can be made as a 

Donation to: NET Ministries (netusa.org/donate)

 National Evangelization Team/Catholic Youth

 110 Crusader Ave. W, West St Paul, MN 55118 

Or

Donation to: Luisa Piccarreta Center For The Divine Will 

Mass Intentions: 423-566-5178

 PO Box 415, Jacksboro, TN 37757