Dennis Valente passed away on April 4, 2023

[fmblizz]

Sorry to see that our hobby lost another long time collector, repair man and supplier as well as a helpful, friendly gentleman. I saw today that Dennis Valente the owner of APSCO passed away on April 4th, 2023. Condolences to his family and friends.

blizz

[OrthoFan]

That is very sad news. I met Dennis 40 years ago when he was running "The Antique Phonograph Shop" in Floral Park, New Jersey. I was relatively new to the hobby back then, and was absolutely fascinated by his knowledge and repair expertise. Seems like all the pioneers of the hobby are passing on.

https://obituaries.thedailystar.com/obi ... 1087409221

OrthoFan

[outune]

Wow-- Dennis was one of the first collectors I met when I began collecting in the '70's. I bought a lot of parts from he and Patti over the years and visited their place when they were on Jericho Turnpike on Long Island. He hadn't been as active in the hobby for quite awhile. After they opened their nursery business in Davenport Center, I guess his time was divided in many directions. He and Patti are good people. Dennis seemed to always be wearing that smile.
Prayers for Patti and his family.

Brad Abell

[emerson]

Another sad loss notice. If I remember correctly, I was with friends and stopped in ---on a yard sale they were having. Picked-up either a XVI that had been cut in half or an Edison with a (maroon motor board), that was also cut in half. Always a pleasure to do business with those good people.

[AZ*]

I am saddened to learn that Dennis has passed away. He was the first phonograph parts dealer I purchased from back in the mid 1980's. I discovered Dennis & Patti's adverts in Allen Koenigsberg's APM back then. I made several purchases of various parts and accessories from what would become APSCO over a number of years including the first edition (hardback) of Reiss's Compleat Talking Machine and a nice Victor M rear mount at an East Coast phono show about 30 years ago. Dennis was always fun to watch and talk to at the phono shows. He seemed to have boundless enthusiasm and energy. He will be missed.

[52089]

Dennis sold me my first machine, a long case Edison Home, back in 1976. Once the sale was made, he gave me records, parts, and accessories for it, usually at no charge. I bought a lot of stuff from him and Patti over the years before their landlord tripled their rent, which forced them to move from Floral Park.

I still have the Home.

I haven't talked to Dennis in decades, but nonetheless he was a huge influence on my early collecting life. He will be greatly missed.

[Yamaphone]

I heard about Dennis Valente's passing a couple of days ago and I just have to make a few comments. I first met Dennis when he was a teenager when I and my brother George (also deceased) sold phonographs at small antique shows. Dennis quickly became intensely interested in antique phonographs and I couldn't believe the energy he had for the hobby. He soon opened a store where he sold phonographs and did restorations. He also started having replacement parts and supplies made which he sold by mail order and also at his store. (This was before phonograph shows, trade magazines, online sites or eBay!) I supplied him with a few of the things that I was making at the time as well. Dennis and his wife Patti eventually moved from Long Island, NY to Davenport Center, NY - not too far from where I now live. At about that time, I became somewhat dormant as far as collecting and making parts so I didn't keep in touch that much. Dennis and Patti soon established a farm market near their home and Dennis directed his boundless energy to this endeavor. He sold plants and produce. If all that wasn't enough, Dennis became involved with the community and eventually served as town councilperson and supervisor for over 14 years. I have been thinking about him so often since I heard the sad news.
My condolences to Pattie, their son Alex and all other members of the community that he came to love.
Dan Zalewski

[Roaring20s]

This last year has seen a changing of the old guard.

James.

[pianolist]

I, too, met Dennis back in the ‘80s. Super nice guy. I would call him with questions which he graciously answered and I also bought parts from him. He rebuilt the reproducer on my Victor Credenza back then also, it still plays well

He will be missed.

Ron