Dr. Julio J. Valdes

Dr Julio J Valdes was born in 1944 in Havana, Cuba. He came to the United States in 1961 at 16 years old by himself as a Pedro Pan to flee Cuba and communism. He was reunited with his parents 2 years later. After starting with nothing, he chose to pursue medicine in Guadalajara, Mexico in 1965 in his father's and grandfather's footsteps. In chasing the American dream, he opened his own pediatric practice in1976 on Armenia Ave where he catered to the Hispanic Community. Because of his passion for helping children in his community and in an effort to never have a patient go unseen, he worked many years 7 days a week. When he wasn't working, Dr Valdes often avoided on-call services and opted to instead have his patients call him directly at home or on his cell phone. He worked for 45 years before "retiring" to part time and passing his legacy to his daughter Carmen who moved from Ohio to practice with her father in 2015.

Aside from medicine, his passions and hobbies included enjoying his family, his friends, traveling to Europe, music, watching baseball, and dining out. He was very active with and will be dearly missed as a staple at the Tampa Bay Latin American Medical Society and at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital where he had hospital privileges for over 40 years.

While Dr Valdes will always be remembered for his passion for medicine- he was a beloved husband and devoted father. He was also known for his giant, warm, welcoming smile. Those who knew him well, know that he didn't like to be the center of attention- that is unless there was a microphone and live band playing-in which case you couldn't pry him from the center lead singer and the bongos.

He is survived by his wife Lucy A Fiallo Valdes; his children Julio J Valdes Jr. (Julie) and Carmen Valdes Morrone (Ralph); his stepchildren Raul C. Estrada (Barbara) and Angela M. Spicola (Joe); his grandchildren Isabella & Ralphie Morrone: Julianna Valdes; Gabriela & William Gino Ramputi III; and Seth Estrada.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.

A visitation for Julio will be held Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33614. A funeral service will occur Friday, February 11, 2022 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at St Lawrence Catholic Church, 5225 N Himes Ave, Tampa, FL 33614. A committal service will occur Friday, February 11, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Garden Of Memories, 4207 E LAKE AVE, TAMPA, FL 33610.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gonzalezfuneral.com for the Valdes family.