Franklin Valentin, 54, died after a long and brave fight with cancer on Thursday, September 1, 2016 in The Villages, Florida. He was born on September 26, 1961 in Añasco, Puerto Rico to Celestino Valentin and Carmen Morales Valentin. 

Frank attended Amsterdam High School in upstate New York where he played multiple sports including football, basketball, track and soccer. In 1980, he married Pamela Bryars and together they raised their children Rebecca, Nicholas and Westley. He served his country in the U.S. Army for many years. He then served our own community as a law enforcement officer for 22 years with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.  He later found his final and favorite career at Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida, working with young adults with learning disabilities. 

Frank is survived by his loving and faithful wife, Pamela Valentin; his three adult children, Rebecca Cannon, Nicholas Valentin and Westley Valentin; his two six-year-old grandsons, Liam and Sean Cannon; and his siblings, William Valentin, Natividad Maxcy, Luis Valentin, Joel Valentin, Zoraida Valentin, Neftali Valentin and Betzaida Valentin. He is predeceased by his parents, Celestino and Carmen Valentin, and his siblings, Carmen Ester Crespo and Norberto Valentin. 

• A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2016, 3:00 p.m. at Degusipe Funeral Home, 905 Laurel Avenue, Sanford, Florida.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to support the deserving, local students of Beacon College at gofundme.com/fvalentinmemorial. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to The Villages Hospice House, and all friends and family members for their support in his final days.