Murray F. Valentine, 76, who retired as the General Manager of Curtis Bay Company in Baltimore passed away December 13th after battling cancer.

Mr. Valentine was born December 2,1932 in Harrisville, NY to Everett Eugene and Margaret Shaver Valentine. He grew up on his parent's farm in Northern New York with his two brothers Stu and Gene and his sister Sally. Following graduation from Harrisville Central School he attended Syracuse's Environmental Science and Forestry school graduating in 1954 with a BS degree. He was employed with the Newton Falls Paper Company after graduation. In 1956 Mr. Valentine was drafted into the US Navy where he received his Commission as a Naval Officer after attending Officers Candidate School. He met his future wife Nancy Ann Reynolds in San Francisco while serving with the Pacific surface fleet. They were married in Shrewsbury, MA in 1959. Following his naval service he returned to northern New York to resume his career with the Newton Falls Paper Company were he rose from forester to Vice President of Resources. Mr. Valentine was very active in the community through his involvement in area business development and service as President of the local Lion's Club.

He moved to the Maryland area in 1981 to lead the commissioning of the Curtis Bay Company's Bayside Terminal. He retired in 1998. He was active in local maritime organizations including the Propeller Club of Baltimore, where he served as treasurer for 3 years, the Tuppenny Club, the Maryland Coal Association, and the Baltimore Propeller Club Charitable Trust where he had served on the board. He enjoyed the outdoors both on land and on water.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancy Reynolds Valentine, of Severna Park and his three sons, Jon Valentine of Severna Park, Joseph Valentine of New York City, and Frank Valentine of Cumberland, MD. He is also survived by his brother Stuart, his sister Sally, and his grandchildren Elizabeth, Brooks, Kaylie, Jordan, and one great grandson, Dalton, daughters-in-law Hilary and Aimee, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Mary, and his brothers Eugene, Jr. and Robert.

There will be a Memorial Mass on Friday, December 19, 2008 at 1:00 pm at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD. Arrangements made by Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401 or to Society of St. Vincent DePaul. Online condolences may be made to www.barrancofuneralhome.com