Joseph Valeriano
Joseph Valeriano
Joseph Valeriano was born June 3, 1916. Growing up in South Camden he was working for his uncle Frank Valeriani, who owned the Valeriani Bottling Company at 414 Pine Street as a teenager and young adult. Like many other Camden boys of his era, he took up boxing, and by the time he was 20, Joseph Valeriano had turned professional, fighting as Joe Reno. He began his career with two wins, over local opponents Al Narcisso and Eddie Michaels. It is known that in April of 1938 he lost two matches in Washington DC by decision, to Carl Dell and to El Brookman. He is not the same fighter who defeated Roxie Allen in 1928, who also fought under the name Joe Reno. Besides boxing, Joseph Valeriano played semi-pro football, also as Joe Reno.
Joseph Valeriano served in the United States Navy during World War II. He secured a position with the Camden Police Department, beginning his career on May 11, 1944. He served as part of Camden’s mounted police unit, prior to its disbanding in 1947. He later served as a Detective. He was living at 829 South 3rd Street when the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled. He later moved to 713 South 4th Street where he was living in 1959. He was still on the police force in 1962, when he won an award. After retiring from Camden’s Police Department with 30 years of service, Joseph Valeriano worked as an investigator with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office for 15 years.
A resident of Marlton NJ in his later years, Joseph Valeriano passed away July 15, 2002.
Walcott and King Fight for Title Belt Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
Clash at Civic Hall In 8 Round Feature
Light Heavyweight Emblem to Be Given Winner of Bout
MICKEY DUCA VS. ENNO
A belt, emblematic of the light heavyweight championship of South Jersey, will be presented the winner of the “Jersey Joe” Walcott-Al King fight here at the Convention Hall tonight.
Walcott and King are scheduled to appear in the feature eight-rounder at the Civic Center hall and Promoter Lew McFarland will give the victor a belt bought by the Golden Gate Sporting Club, which is sponsoring the show.
Walcott has yet to be put to the test as his last two opponents here were outclassed. The coffee-colored Merchantville light heavy unquestionably is a great puncher and made a chopping block of Pat “Red” Roland a few weeks ago, the bout being stopped in the fourth round to save the latter from being sent home in a basket. During the outdoor season, Walcott stopped Lew Alva, who was booked as a Spaniard, but who later proved to be a Philadelphian, in one round.
King Has Good Record
King comes here with a good reputation. According to Promoter MacFarland, King, who hails from Hackettstown, has had 10 professional fights and won all 10, nine over the knockout route and a six-round win over Abie Bain, who several years ago gave Maxie Rosenbloom a real battle at Madison Square Garden when Rosenbloom held the light heavy title.
King’s nine knockouts, according to Frankie Bunt, his representative, include Billie Prince, Dan Serici, Gene Hudson, Ray Bowers, Bucky Bendetto, Frank Zaveda, Jimmy Smith, Jim Myrick and Bobby O’Brien. None of the fights lasted over three rounds so King should be a fit opponent for Walcott.
McFarland is certain that the fight will be a “sweetheart” with a belt at stake for the winner.
Julius Lighthiser, who resumed his right name after boxing several bouts under the name of Frankie “Kid” Carlin, has been forced to pull out of the eight-round semi-final due to an attack of arthritis in his neck. Julius Lighthiser was listed to meet Paul Enno of the Philippine Islands, in a return match, the two having fought a great six-rounder in the last show, but Julius, while training caught a punch on his neck which caused a ligament to cross a nerve and arthritis developed.
Duca Replaces Lightheiser
So Promoter McFarland has signed Mickey Duca of Paulsboro, to act as a substitute for Lighthiser against Enno. Lightheiser beat Enno, who is a club fighter. Duca also is a club fighter and the two kids may steal the thunder of the stars.
Two heavyweights, Al “Peaches” Gray of North Camden, and Jack Houvig, three-letter athlete at Salem High School a few years ago, meet in the main preliminary of six rounds. Both are good punchers and anxious to please as they are making a comeback after several years’ absence from the ring.
In the two preliminary bouts, both six-rounders, Joe Bonomo and Joe Reno, both residents of South Camden, trade punches, while Dan Ryrie of Fairview, and Danny McNichol of Merchantville, deadly rivals, open the show.
Cincinnati, Boxer, Makes Debut Here
Camden Courier-Post —
South Camden Youngster Meets Narcisso In Walcott-Barry Show Next Week
Cincinnati is the name of one of Ohio’s fairest cities, but it also is the name of a local aspirant to boxing fame.
Freddy is his first name and he is a resident of South Camden. He is slated to make his professional debut here at the Convention Hall next Tuesday night, facing hard-hitting Al Narcisso, another South Camdenite, in the second bout of six rounds.
“Jersey Joe” Walcott, of Maple Shade, and Donald “Red” Barry, of Washington, D. C., will act as the finalists on the card. The bout is over the 10-round route.
Narcisso is on the spot with Cincinnati. Al was touted highly prior to his pro debut against Joe Reno, but the latter went going away. Cincinnati has been training for several months and Narcisso may run into another storm.
Freddy Lewis, Maple Shade cobble thrower who fought several sensational bouts at the Civic Center hall, comes back to battle Jack Kelly, of Kensington, in the eight round semifinal.
Two other six-rounders are also on the card. Joey Mancuso, of Maple Shade, faces Johnny Viereck of National Park, and Joey Ruggles of South Camden, battles Danny Ryrie, of Fairview.
Joe Reno Makes Fans Take Notice
Camden Courier-Post —
South Camden Italian Now Regarded as Coming Star in Boxing Circles
Local boxing fans are beginning to boost Joe Reno, South Camden junior welterweight, as one of the best looking prospects in the city.
Reno, who boxes Ted Pecana, of Elmer, in one of the preliminaries to the Frankie Blair-Tony Falco bout at the Pennsauken Arena next Tuesday night, looked very impressive in the two bouts in which he has participated since entering professional ranks.
In his last trip to the post, the swarthy Italian youngster knocked out Eddie Michaels, of Riverside, always considered a rugged, two-fisted mauler, in one round and in so doing, broke Eddie’s jaw. Reno connected with a long, hard right swing to the jaw early in the first round and Eddie’s handlers refused to permit him to answer the bell for the second, and he was counted out.
Reno swarmed all over Eddie during the brief bout, winning the round by commanding margin. In his other pro fight, Joe decisively defeated Al Narcisso, of South Camden, winning every round of a six-round scrap.
Pecana, however, is expected to furnish Reno with keen competition. The Polish kid has been a frequent winner at Atlantic City, having scored most of his wins over the knockout route. So, if Pecana comes out fighting, it’ll be a whirlwind tussle till either one of them drops as Reno has yet to take a backward step in a local ring.
In the other bouts on the card, Wickey Harkins and Joe Flocco, both of Philadelphia and both club fighters, meet in the eight-round semifinal; Freddy Lewis and Joe Mancuso, Maple Shade welterweights who are at loggerheads, also clash; Steve Martin, Whitman Park heavyweight, faces Ellis Slington, of Woodbury, and Danny McNichol, of Merchantville, tackles Pete Kelly, of Riverside.
Officer Joseph Valeriano — January 10, 1947
Named: Officer Joseph Valeriano, January 10, 1947, and Police Department Stable.
Presentation of Awards
Camden Police Department — 1962 Report
Camden Police Department — 1962 Report, Page 39
From Left: Joseph “Joe Reno” Valeriano, unknown, unknown, Sergeant Tom Kelly, Detective Nate Jones, unknown, Chief William Neale, Detective “Pete” Sunkett, unknown
Bar Owner Murdered In Robbery
Camden Courier-Post —
The owner of a Camden tavern was discovered shot in the back of the head and stabbed “six or seven times,” shortly after he opened the bar at 939 Market Street today.
Morris (Marty) Baskow, 53, of 315 Monmouth Drive, Cherry Hill, was dead on arrival at Cooper Hospital.
According to police a customer, Louis Robinson, 21, of 1038 Penn Street, discovered Baskow’s body in a pool of blood about 12 feet inside the entrance. He told police he had spoken briefly with Baskow about 15 minutes prior when the victim arrived to open for business.
Robinson said he went to a nearby restaurant for coffee and returned to the tavern. Police reported three other men were standing on the corner and Robinson spoke with them before entering the 939 Bar.
Ironically, police received Robinson’s call at 9:39 a.m.
According to Det. Joseph Valeriano, the victim’s watch, an empty money clip, some coins and two pens were found in the pool of blood. He revealed the watch was stopped at 9:13.
Wife Notified
First on the scene were Police Lt. William Kelly and Sgts. Raymond Paradise and Thomas Ewanachek.
A barmaid, who reported to work just after police arrived, was taken to Baskow’s Cherry Hill address to notify his wife, Ella. Mrs. Baskow identified the body in the hospital.
Mrs. Baskow said her husband had been trying to transfer his liquor license to 1206 Haddon Avenue, but was denied when local residents protested. The 939 Bar was the only property presently in use in the area which would be demolished for the North-South Freeway extension.
Had ‘At Least $200’
Mrs. Baskow also revealed that her husband had to be carrying “at least $200 to pay for supplies which were to be delivered.”
She said her husband purchased the tavern about six years ago, formerly operating a taxicab and vending business.
City Murder Victim Was in Poor Health
Camden Courier-Post —
‘Violence Unnecessary’
“My husband had been sick … he lost 110 pounds … he was down to 135 pounds … anyone could have taken whatever he had without resorting to violence, let alone killing him.”
These were the words of the widow of a 53-year-old Camden tavern owner who was found early yesterday stabbed and bludgeoned to death, lying in a pool of blood in his bar at 939 Market Street.
Coroner Joseph Myrtetus said Morris (Marty) Baskow of 315 Monmouth Drive, Cherry Hill, died of eight stab wounds of the back and a fractured skull inflicted by a blunt instrument.
‘One of Most Brutal’
Police earlier said they believed the head wound was caused by a gunshot. Veteran detectives described the killer they are seeking as “one of the most brutal” they have ever had to deal with.
According to Det. Joseph Valeriano, the victim’s watch, an empty money clip, some coins and two pens were found on the blood-soaked floor by the body.
Mrs. Ella Baskow said her husband had been carrying “at least $200 to pay for supplies which were to be delivered.”
Police said a customer, Louis Robinson, 21, of 1038 Penn Street, discovered Baskow’s body some 12 feet inside the entrance of the bar.
He told police he spoke with Baskow some 15 minutes earlier when the victim opened for business, then went to a nearby restaurant for coffee before returning.
The first report of the robbery-murder at the 939 Bar was telephoned to the police communications board — at exactly 9:39 a.m.
First on the scene were Lt. William Kelly, Sgts. Raymond Paradise and Thomas Ewanachek.
Mrs. Baskow said her husband had been trying to transfer his liquor license to 1206 Haddon Avenue, but was denied when area residents protested. The tavern is the only business property presently in use in the area, which will be demolished for the North-South Freeway Extension.
Rites Tomorrow
Baskow is survived by his wife, a daughter, Jacqueline, 16; a son, Bruce, 11; his mother, Mrs. Rose Baskow and a sister.
Funeral services will be tomorrow at 2:15 p.m. at Goldstein’s Funeral Home, 6410 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia. Burial will be in Montefiore Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Obituary
Camden Courier-Post —
VALERIANO (RENO), JOSEPH — On July 15, 2002 of Marlton, NJ age 86 years. Beloved husband of the late Rita C. (nee Galante). Dear father of Joseph Valeriano, Roseanna Stewart and her husband John, Thomas Valeriano and his wife Kathy, all of Marlton. Grandfather of John, Michael, and Alissa. Uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Joe was a Navy Veteran of WWII. Also known as Joe Reno, he was a Camden City Professional Welter Weight Boxer and a Semi Pro Football Player.
Joe’s professional career was in Law Enforcement. He was a Camden City Police Officer for 30 years, than an Investigator/Detective for the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office for 15 years.
Relatives and friends of the family will meet for his viewing and funeral on Thursday morning from 9am to 10am in St. Mary’s R.C. Church 2001 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill. Arrangements by THE BOCCO FUNERAL HOME, 1300 N. Kings Hwy., Cherry Hill, NJ.
Obituary
Camden Courier-Post —
VALERIANO (RENO), JOSEPH — On July 15, 2002 of Marlton, NJ age 86 years. Beloved husband of the late Rita C. (nee Galante). Dear father of Joseph Valeriano, Roseanna Stewart and her husband John, Thomas Valeriano and his wife Kathy, all of Marlton. Grandfather of John, Michael, and Alissa. Uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Joe was a Navy Veteran of WWII. Also known as Joe Reno, he was a Camden City Professional Welter Weight Boxer and a Semi Pro Football Player.
Joe’s professional career was in Law Enforcement. He was a Camden City Police Officer for 30 years, than an Investigator/Detective for the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office for 15 years.
Relatives and friends of the family will meet for his viewing and funeral on Thursday morning from 9am to 10am in St. Mary’s R.C. Church 2001 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill. Arrangements by THE BOCCO FUNERAL HOME, 1300 N. Kings Hwy., Cherry Hill, NJ.