Valentino 'Val' Madia
1948 - 2025
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Valentino Madia, Jr., passed away peacefully with family by his side on October 3, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona, at the age of 77. Born on February 21, 1948, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Val carried with him a deep-rooted pride in his hometown throughout his life.
Val was a graduate of South Hills Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He went on to attend Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota, where he received numerous basketball awards recognizing his outstanding achievements. In 2016, Val was inducted into the Yankton College Greyhound Hall of Fame for Excellence in Athletics and Life.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 43 years, Colleen Madia; his children: Dave Shaw of Omaha, Nebraska; Sherry Heinitz and her husband David of Falls Church, Virginia; and Jeff Shaw and his wife Mindy of Omaha, Nebraska. Val was a proud grandfather to Drew Shaw, (Yasmin), Kaylee Shaw, (Calvin), Quinn Shaw, Collin Heinitz and Elaina Heinitz. He was a great-grandfather to Rovan O'Dowd and Kinsley O'Dowd.
Val is also survived by his brother Joseph Madia and sister-in-law Ann of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania (formerly of Bethel Park); niece Michele Socknat, her husband Matt and their children, Elena, James and Michael of McLean, Virginia; nephew Joseph Valentino Madia, his wife Abby and their daughter Edie of Robinson Township, Pennsylvania; cousins Donna Marie Bach (Tom) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Ray Madia (Christine) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He shared close bonds with his extended family through marriage: Bridget Lynch Bryan (John), Erwin Quinn (JoAnn), Carmel Earl (Steve), along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Valentino Madia Sr. and Jennie (Sirianni) Madia; his brother Frank Madia; and his brother-in-law John Quinn.
Val had a lifelong passion for sports—especially cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the Creighton Bluejays. Val enjoyed playing cards and spending time with his many dear friends. Golf held a special place in his heart; Champions Run became like a second home to him over the years. Whether on the green or gathered around a card table, Val found joy in camaraderie and competition alike.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date, and published on this website.
Val was a graduate of South Hills Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He went on to attend Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota, where he received numerous basketball awards recognizing his outstanding achievements. In 2016, Val was inducted into the Yankton College Greyhound Hall of Fame for Excellence in Athletics and Life.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 43 years, Colleen Madia; his children: Dave Shaw of Omaha, Nebraska; Sherry Heinitz and her husband David of Falls Church, Virginia; and Jeff Shaw and his wife Mindy of Omaha, Nebraska. Val was a proud grandfather to Drew Shaw, (Yasmin), Kaylee Shaw, (Calvin), Quinn Shaw, Collin Heinitz and Elaina Heinitz. He was a great-grandfather to Rovan O'Dowd and Kinsley O'Dowd.
Val is also survived by his brother Joseph Madia and sister-in-law Ann of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania (formerly of Bethel Park); niece Michele Socknat, her husband Matt and their children, Elena, James and Michael of McLean, Virginia; nephew Joseph Valentino Madia, his wife Abby and their daughter Edie of Robinson Township, Pennsylvania; cousins Donna Marie Bach (Tom) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Ray Madia (Christine) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He shared close bonds with his extended family through marriage: Bridget Lynch Bryan (John), Erwin Quinn (JoAnn), Carmel Earl (Steve), along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Valentino Madia Sr. and Jennie (Sirianni) Madia; his brother Frank Madia; and his brother-in-law John Quinn.
Val had a lifelong passion for sports—especially cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the Creighton Bluejays. Val enjoyed playing cards and spending time with his many dear friends. Golf held a special place in his heart; Champions Run became like a second home to him over the years. Whether on the green or gathered around a card table, Val found joy in camaraderie and competition alike.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date, and published on this website.
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