Mr. Alfred A. "Al" Valeriano, Sr., age 78, of Las Vegas, and formerly of Utica, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 9, 2015 at his home. Born on July 5, 1936, Al was the son of the late Joseph and Margaret (Longo) Valeriano. He was raised in Utica and graduated from T.R. Proctor High School. Upon graduation, Al began working with Valeriano and Sons Construction Company, a family business started by his father. He never looked back and his passion for backhoe and heavy equipment operation sustained him throughout his career. In December of 1968, Al set out for San Diego with his good friend, Nicholas Montana. Along their journey, the two made a pit stop in Las Vegas, Nevada…and they never left. Al loved the vibrancy and diversity of the Sin City. He was an avid fan of horseracing and had a knack for picking the winners. Those closest to him knew that they could always rely on his expertise and advice on race day. In 1979, Al's path led him to a woman named Shirley Scotti. The two shared over 35 years of love and companionship. Al's family was always a priority for him. He lit up a room with his sense of humor and his stories. Although he lived across the country, he never let distance keep him from being involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren, and they knew he was always just a phone call away. Al is survived by his beloved, Shirley; his sons and daughters-in-law, Al and Angela Valeriano of Frankfort and Phil and Terese Valeriano of Baldwinsville; his grandchildren, Vincent Valeriano, Danielle Valierano, Alaina Valierano and her fiancée, Todd Phillips, and Aleese Valeriano; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank and Ellen Valeriano and Richard Valeriano and his wife, Kathleen Dove; sisters and brother-in-law, Marge and Gil Scharf and Jean Arcusa; and a sister-in-law, Marian Valeriano. He also leaves numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Al was predeceased by his brothers, Tony Valeriano and Joseph Valeriano; his brother-in-law, Paul Arcusa; a special cousin, Amy Hanson; and his best friend, Andy Millsap. Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Memorial Mass celebrating Al's life on Saturday morning, January 31, 2015 at 10:00AM at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church in Utica. Al's family bid him a private goodbye as he was laid to rest beside his parents in St. Agnes Cemetery in his hometown of Utica. Local arrangements have been entrusted to family friend and funeral director, Martin L. Ciaccia, of the Enea Family Funeral Home in Frankfort.