David A. Valeri

David A. Valeri, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on December 14, 2025 after a brief illness.

David is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Marie (Fusco) Valeri, his daughters Cristina Valeri and Laura Pompei, her husband Christopher; his grandchildren Christopher and Juliana Pompei; David, Andrew, and Elisabeth Gardiner and their father Brian Gardiner; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

David was born in Leominster on the tenth of April in 1944 to Angelo and Domenica (Piccolomini) Valeri. He graduated from Leominster High School in 1962, and continued at the University of Massachusetts before he joined his brother John at Kings Corner Restaurant, working in all capacities there for many years. His love of the restaurant business led him to open Cristina’s Restaurant in 1988. After thirty years, his daughter Cristina took over the overall management of the restaurant, knowing her father was only a phone call away.

David always was involved with the operation of Cristina’s, but had the time to enjoy his love of horseracing and established AngieV Stables with his brother Bobby. He, Marie and their family spent many Augusts in Saratoga Springs, New York, a place where he made many lasting new friendships.

In 2024 he had the privilege of being a partner in the racehorse, Society Man, that ran in the Kentucky Derby and later that year his horse, Brown-eyed Cat, won on opening day at Saratoga Race Track with several friends from Leominster joining in the celebration.

David was also an avid fan of the New York Yankees.

David was predeceased by his sisters Corinne Lanzillo and Angela Pizzuti, his brothers John and Dr. C. Robert Valeri.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 27th  at 11:00 am at St. Anna Church, 199 Lancaster Street, Leominster, and burial will follow at St. Leo’s Cemetery in Leominster. There are no calling hours. Please go directly to the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anna School, 213 Lancaster Street, Leominster, MA 01453, or to the David A. Valeri Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Marie Valeri, 73 Helena Street, Leominster, Massachusetts 01453.

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