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James Valko Obituary

Valko, James A. passed away on December 27, 2005, at his home in Redwood City, CA, after a year long struggle with cancer. Jim was born and raised in Chicago, IL, and resided for the last 20 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. Jim worked over 25 years in the insurance and reinsurance industry. During his career, Jim managed a diverse range of functions, departments, and projects. This broad background included strategic and diversification planning, insurance company start-ups, fiduciary, claims and operational management, and service expansion. He ended his career as a Senior Vice President working with the wonderful people at Acordia RE, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo, as a reinsurance broker and management consultant. Jim is predeceased by his father, George Valko. He is lovingly survived by his mother, Jean Petrakis Valko, Waukegan, IL; Bill and Liz Valko, Waukegan, IL; Peter and Kathy Valko, Valrico, FL. Jim leaves behind his wife and best friend, Mary Margaret Scavarda, who he loved dearly, as well as her father, Mario Scavarda ; Mary Frances (Scavarda) and Bob Gerbi, Fort Bragg, CA; Mary Louise (Scavarda) and Eric Entz, Roseville, CA; Marylou Scavarda, Whitethorne, CA. He will be greatly missed by his ten special nieces and nephews, (George, Andrew, Jennifer, and Christopher Valko and Gina and Todd Marcione, Rob Gerbi and Michelle Bloom, Jeremy Scavarda, Mary Erica Entz) as well as his beloved great nephew, Owen Marcione. In addition to his career and relationships, Jim had many passions including movies, theatre, comic books, and travel, especially trips to Ashland, OR. A private remembrance service is being planned. In lieu of flowers, we ask for donations in his honor to Sequoia Hospital Foundation, 170 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City, CA, 94061 or Oregon Shakespeare Festival Attn: Development Office P.O. Box 158, Ashland, OR, 97520.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Dec. 29, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for James Valko

Not sure what to say?





Jill Nielsen

December 19, 2006

Dear Jean and Family,

I heard today of Jimmy's passing and am so very sorry. I have cherished childhood memories of Jimmy and the whole Valko family. I wish we would have stayed in touch over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Joanne Blair, R.N.

January 14, 2006

Mary, No words can describe the special love that you shared with Jim. I'm sure that this made it exceptionally hard for both of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loving family.

Merrilynn Clark

January 12, 2006

Dearest Jean, Bill, and Peter,

Jim will forever hold a place in my heart. I will light a candle for him mama, there is a nice Greek Church in Escondido.

David Crawford

January 9, 2006

My Dearest Mary Margaret,



My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to you in this most difficult time. Jim was certainly the love of your life and you his, you had a very special connection that is so rare. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to know Jim and he touched my life in many ways during our friendship. May the grace of God and the Blessed Mother Mary be with you in your hour of need.



In Deepest Sympathy,

David Crawford

Greg & Joanne Cowley

January 9, 2006

Jean



Joanne and I wish to express our deepest sympathy over the loss of your cherished son, Jim. This profound loss is shared by all of us who knew him and he will surely be missed by family and friends. May you and your family be consoled knowing Jim is at rest and at peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.



May God Bless You and Comfort You

Greg and Joanne Cowley

dean pantazi

January 7, 2006

jean, bill, pete, and family



our deepest condolances to you all on your loss.



dean and becky pantazi and family

Dave Nikolich & family

January 6, 2006

To the family of my lifelong buddy:



I share in your sorrow and know you all have beautiful memories of Jim to cherish. God bless you all. You are in my thoughts.

Rush, Lisa, Joy & Jackson Backer

January 5, 2006

Dear Mary:



We are so sorry that Jim is gone. He was a wonderful man and we are so glad that we knew him. He was the love of your life and it was so clear that he adored you. May sweet memories help ease your loss. We will miss him.



Love,

Chris Coopman

January 5, 2006

Dearest Mary - I was so sorry to learn of your loss. Please note you hold a special place in my heart and my prayers are with you and your family. Please keep in touch with us in Fresno.

Love, Chris

Vera Ray

January 5, 2006

Mary,



My dear friend I am sorry to hear about your dear loss, Jim was a great guy and I can remember when you shared your wedding pictures with me. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please let me know if I can help you in any way.



May God Bless,

Vera

Elayne Sarelas

January 3, 2006

Jean,

Alex and Elayne Sarelas send their love and express their deepest sympathy on your tremendous loss. Jim will always be fondly remembered.

Fred Robinson

January 3, 2006

Mary,



I’m very sorry for your loss. Jim was my mentor and taught me many things about business and life. I’m a better person for having met him.

Valerie Souza

January 3, 2006

Mary -



I was so very sorry to learn of your loss. I wish there was something meaningful I could say or do. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please take care.

John E. King

January 3, 2006

Dear Mary,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We will keep Jim in our daily prayers. Warmest regards,



Fred & Louise Murabito & family

Marie Dougherty & Lena Bogliani

John & Jackie King

Helen Freeman-Tozer

January 3, 2006

Dear Mary,



I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May it bring you peace to know that we will all be reunited in the end.

God bless you.

Joseph Lee

December 31, 2005

Dear Mary,



I wish to extend to you my sincerest condolences and sympathy from my family to you during this most difficult time.



You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.



Take Care,

Joe

eric wu

December 30, 2005

dear mary



i wish you peace and strength in this time of sorrow. jim will be greatly missed by those who were fortunate to have known him. with deepest sympathy, eric

Penny Anderson

December 30, 2005

Mary,



My heart goes out to you in this difficult time. Please know that you are and have been in my prayers.

Dick Stary

December 30, 2005

Mary, I am sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dick Stary

David McIntyre

December 29, 2005

Mary,



Our thoughts are with you. Jim was a great friend and a wonderful mentor. He enriched my life greatly, and I will miss him.

David McIntyre

December 29, 2005

Mary,



Our thoughts our with you. Jim was a great friend and a wonderful mentor. He enriched my life greatly, and I will miss him.

Ken Engberg

December 29, 2005

Jean, My deepest sympathy. Jim was a classmate of mine at Irving Park Elementry school. We had many great times together. This is the absolute reason we should keep in touch as I missed out on a large part of his life. Kenny

Lorelei Endaya

December 29, 2005

Mary,

Our heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathy. May time help to ease your sorrow and bring you peace.

Lei and Artan

Daniela Castillo

December 29, 2005

Dear Mary,



Jim was one of the brightest and kindest people I have ever met. My heartfelt condolences and a big hug to you and your family.

Jyoti Pande

December 29, 2005

Mary,



I'm very sorry to hear about this great loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.



Regards,



Jyoti.

Margaret Ma

December 29, 2005

Mary,

I'm very sorry to hear about your great loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care of yourself!



Love and Peace,

Vaughn Harris

December 29, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with Jim's family. We share in their loss.

Vigen and Marie Galustian

December 29, 2005

Mary,



Please accept our heartfelt and deepest sympathy for your great loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.



Love and Peace,

Rhena Hendricks

December 29, 2005

Dear Mary,

You have my deepest sympathy and my thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Klepp's Christmas party 1996

December 29, 2005

Marlene Gonzalez

December 29, 2005

Mary, I am so sorry to hear about Jim passing. You are definetly in my thoughts and prayers.

Dhinesh Nikkam

December 29, 2005

Mary: Our Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Steve Tusa

December 29, 2005

Mary,



My prayers for you continue and I am very sorry for your great loss.



Steve

Monina Ambrozewski

December 29, 2005

Larry, Myra Rachel and I are deeply saddened by Jim's passing and extend our condolences to you, Mary M., and your family. We have very fond memories of Jim. May he rest in peace now.

Miriam Gray

December 29, 2005

Mary, our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with you. If there is anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask.



With love and prayers!

Miriam and Family

Bill Sawyer

December 29, 2005

Mary, I will always consider you one of my dearest friends and know that I'm there for you always. Meredith and I offer you our deepest sympathies. Jim will truly be missed. You are in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers. Take care of yourself!



Love, Bill & Meredith Sawyer

Teri Blauer

December 29, 2005

Mary: Dave and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Let us know if there is anything we can do. Take care of yourself.



Teri Blauer

David Luna

December 28, 2005

David & Monica Luna and Family wish to express their deepest condolences.

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