Resolution 393-2002
COMMISSIONER DIXIE M. SPEHAR
RESOLUTION NO. 393 -2002
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY IN
RECOGNITION OF THE LATE DR. JOSEPH ANTHONY VALDES
WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Anthony Valdes passed away at the age of93 on August 2, 2002; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Valdes was born in Key West on January 22, 1909, the son of Jose R. and Anna Ayala
Valdes. He was a lifetime resident of Key West and a member ofSt. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Valdes graduated from Key West High School in 1928 and attended the University of
Florida for pre-med and attended the Penn State College of Optometry, graduating in 1936. He practiced
Optometry for over 44 years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Valdes was associated with Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute where he developed a close
friendship with Dr. Palmer. After Dr. Palmer passed away, he became associated with Dr. Grooms of the Mayo
Eye Clinic, and eventually opened the Valdes Eye Clinic in Key West. He worked for a period oftime in Miami
for Visions Service in South Miami and then returned home to Key West to join the Key West Eye Clinic until
his retirement; and
WHEREAS; Dr. Valdes was an outstanding piano player. He played with a dance band at the Key West
Cuban Club, The Isle Casino and Arronovitz Hall. While at the University of Florida, he hosted an hour of
music on WRUF the Gator station heard through Cuba and Central America; and
WHEREAS; during his years of service to the U.S. Coast Guard, he was the head optometrist for the
U.S. Navy. He also gave free eye exams to those that could not afford it throughout his life; and
WHEREAS; Dr. Valdes donated the old Greyhound bus station property to the City of Key West in the
1950s. To honor his generosity the Key West City Commission passed a resolution naming the passage, "Dr.
Valdes' Alley."
WHEREAS, Dr. Valdes leaves behind to cherish his memory, two sons, Joseph A. Valdes Jr. and wife,
Uli, and Robert Valdes; one stepson, Rudy Rego; one daughter, Mercy Linares; two grandchildren, Toni Valdes
and Jason Washington; and lifelong friend, Ogildo Soriano, known as Mr. Pinder, and many friends; now,
therefore
BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1: Hereby adopts this Resolution as an expression to the family of their deepest sympathy
in the passing of the late Dr. Joseph Anthony Valdes, and in great appreciation of his music and the service he
gave to his community.
Section 2:
Forwards a copy of this Resolution to Dr. Valdes' family expressing the Board's
sorrow.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a
meeting of said Board held on the 18th day of September, A.D., 2002.
Mayor Charles "Sonny" McCoy
Mayor Pro Tern Dixie M. Spehar
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner Murray Nelson
Commissioner Bert Jimenez
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
< ($E~) \.
:'.Attegt~DANNY, .', L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
'ccc<,':"""," ~
l3:,~
Depu Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE CourT:' FLORIDA
\, ,,':,;/
~J ~
By
Mayor/Chairman
~
::t c:.::t ."
C) Cl c=
r--..;) r
z :0-
:::0 ::;:: en f"T1
Cl (") _.. rr1 0
f'T1 ~:2 "
N ."
C)' I~-- 0
on. Ul
S;::ij;:.:: ;:0
.......... C,:" -0 :::0
~(")r :x rr1
. -I :r.
....,. >. (j
r C) 0
)> rr1 0 ::0
c; D