Obituary of Rudy Valli

Ettore “Rudy” Valli of Hopatcong, NJ passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at home. He was 96 years old.

Rudy was born on October 2, 1928 in Newark  NJ to the late Aldo and Caterina (Androsiglio) Valli and grew up in Bloomfield, NJ.  He was also predeceased by his sister Julia and brothers Alfred and Claudio. He was a longtime resident of Hopatcong, NJ.  He was a Sales Representative for E&J Gallo Wines in  Elizabeth before his retirement and loved to share his knowledge of wine. Rudy was an Army veteran and served in the WWII Army of Occupation.

Rudy is predeceased by his wife, the love of his life, Dorothy Jean (Constantine) in 2016. Rudy and Dot had a wonderful life together in Hopatcong and as “snowbirds” in Florida.  He is survived by his children:  Linda Falciola & her husband Richard, Lisa Finnis & her husband Edward, Robert & his wife Cathy, Rudy & his wife Maryanne and Richard & hiswife Giovanna. He will be truly missed by his 15 loving grandchildren; Jason, Justin and Michael Falciola, Leah Lloyd-Jones, Glenn and Greg Valli, Lauren Nassirian, Dominic, Patrick and Annemarie Valli,  Amanda, Matthew and Juliana Valli, and Jenna and Scott Finnis. He is also survived by 28 great-grandchildren, his grandchildren’s spouses and many cousins, nieces and nephews as well as his loving caregivers, including Sharon Leon. 

Rudy had a zeal for life and a personality that lit up the room.  He had many passions including his spectacular garden, his love of football and the NY Giants, his skill at dancing, cards and trips to the casinos, cooking and his prowess on the tennis courts. Rudy was a loyal member of St. Jude’s Church and past president of Hopatcong High School booster club as well as Hopatcong Kiwanis.  But above all, Rudy was about the love of his family.  Whether on the sports field, cheering on his children or grandchildren, offering advice or a kind word, he was the rock of his family. 

Rudy’s Life Celebration will include a visitation on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing, NJ. There will be afuneral mass on Wednesday, August 13 at 10:00 am at St. Jude RC Church, 40 Maxim Drive,Hopatcong, NJ. Rudy will be laid to rest at Stanhope Union Cemetery in Mt. Olive Twp., NJ.