Chepeleff, Valentine, T. age 90, World War II Veteran and Russian Orthodox Priest, formerly of West Roxbury, Wrentham, and Brockton, MA, passed away on Friday, December 21, 2012. Beloved husband of the late Zena (Martinoff) Chepeleff and father of the late Gregory. Survivors include his children, Val of Nahant, Caren of Quincy, Christine of Wrentham, and Daria (Chepeleff) King of Eugene, OR; and 2 granddaughters (Jessica and Rachael) and 1 great grandson (David).
During his childhood Valentine grew up in Endicott, NY with his older brother & sister (Alex & Betty, both now deceased). Later his family moved to Brookline, Massachusetts, where his father, Right Reverend Theodore Chepeleff was assigned to the St. George’s Russian Orthodox Church in Boston.
During World War II, Staff Sergeant Valentine (Army Air Force) flew with The 6th Bomb Group, 40th Squadron, and was a combat member of Crew #4002 as a Radarman and Radar Gunner for the B-29 Superfortress aircraft. He and Crew #4002 were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC Citation) for flying the lead for Mission 47. Kobe Urban Area, Japan, June 5, 1945. He was awarded many other medals and flew more than 25 combat missions from Tinian in the Mariana Islands where he was stationed. Staff Sergeant Valentine was also remembered in the book. “Iwo Jima : World War II veterans remember the greatest battle of the Pacific“ (2008), authored by Larry (Larry Earl) Smith. The B 29 that Crew #4002 generally flew was the "Earthquake McGoon".
After the War, he moved to NYC, went to Columbia University graduating as an Architect, and got married. He moved back to Boston (West Roxbury) with his new wife, Zena; and raised his own family of 5 (2 boys and 3 girls). He started a business as a “Manufacturer of Religious Articles” for the Russian Orthodox Church. He was an Artist and painted many Icons. He also made the Priest’s garments adorned with semi-precious stones, and processed metal work for jewelry, such as crosses and necklaces.
During the md-70s, after his father, Right Reverend Theodore Chepeleff passed away, Valentine was ordained a Russian Orthodox Priest, a calling he was destined for. After several appointments in Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Chelsea, and Lynn, Father Valentine was attached to Saint Nicholas Church, Salem, MA.
Grave Side Funeral Services with Military Honors will be held on Thursday afternoon at 2pm, Feb. 14th at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Off Connery Avenue, Bourne, MA.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/