ved to discuss science - physics, theories regarding origins of the earth, the nature of why humanity is here. This questioning ultimately led him to become a Christian while still in school. He loved to share his faith with others, helping some of his school friends find God as well. It also had him inviting in religious door steppers into the family home to argue points of the Bible. It was through play that our hero honed his leadership and storytelling skills. Among the kids living on or around NW 53rd Avenue in Miami Gardens, Val was a pied-piper - bringer of adventure, creator of the best games. Legendary neighbourhood events included kid flash (dodge ball designed to test reflexes, nerves and the ability to withstand pain), street kickball and marathon Dungeons and Dragons sessions (where Val was either a sadistic dungeon master creating the most challenging monster-filled scenarios or a strong warrior elf, who cast killer spells and wielded a big sword.) Val graduated American Senior High School in Hialeah in 1984 as Valedictorian, with a slew of senior superlatives, and a near full ride scholarship to the University of Miami (UM), where his story continued its upward arc. "It was destiny to meet Val," said his best friend of decades Marc Chaykin. And this element of fate ran through this part of Val's story. This is where our hero gets his super powers. It was through meeting Marc that Val began to hone his physical body by throwing women in the air or holding them high above his head. Marc recruited Val to be a cheerleader at UM and he was a good one - so good that he eventually began to teach the sport to others. Cheering was a big part of Val's life - he started a company that taught cheer leading and entered and ran competitions. After UM, he was part of the first mixed cheerleading squad for the Miami Dolphins. Indeed, many of the top cheerleading trainers and practitioners were at some point trained by Val. Our hero honed his mind as well - graduating with dual bachelor's degrees in chemistry and biology, and later moving on to get an MBA. He continued his involvement with the church, attending meetings on and off campus. He ramped up his help to others - volunteering to teach students, assist at parties, even provided himself as an MC. All one had to do was ask. This combination of brains, brawn and a generous nature coalesced into Val's super power - he was the ultimate multi-tasker. Not only did he have his full-time job in the Risk Management Division at UM, but he ran numerous side hustles including cheerleading training, mobile DJing, party planning and consulting. Val could juggle appointments the way a Cirque du Soleil acrobat juggled objects. He was smart enough to maintain several different business enterprises, while working a full time job. He was strong enough to volunteer his time and compassion to numerous projects and people both locally and internationally, while still making time each week to keep in touch with his family. He flew from event to event, faster than speeding bullets. It was wondered if anything could slow him down, could capture him. And then he met Nicole, the Lois Lane to his Clark Kent; the Mary Jane to his Peter Parker; Jean Grey to his Logan. As all good stories, there was romance and there was love. Val met Nicole at Calvary Church, where he had been attending for 7 years. He didn't realize who she was to him until their Bible study group went on a mission trip to Mexico. "I just knew we were going to get married," Nicole said. Theirs was a powerful romance. Thirteen months after meeting (and attending a pre-marriage workshop that lasted 7 weeks) Val and Nicole married in a joyous ceremony, where Val played guitar and sang to his new bride. It was here that his story coalesced into his next most challenging chapter - married life and fatherhood. Nicole and Val had three children - Olivia Renee, Abigail Rose and Victoria Rae. Val approached this as he had all his other parts in his story, with great gusto. He shared the joys of his life with friends on Facebook, and created memory books of each of the years he spent with "his girls." He embraced new loves - traveling on cruises and going to theme parks (Disney was a favourite). And he never slowed down! Nicole became keeper of schedules, planning out their time with meticulous efficiency. Yet no matter how much time was needed for other pursuits, there was always time for each other. As in all stories, there has to be a villain. In Val's story it was Myeloma, a blood cancer. His questing mind researched this with the same intensity of an organic chemistry assignment. He found a solution. He started a treatment. But the villain didn't stop there. Val had breathing problems, which lead to an undiagnosed heart condition. But after numerous tests and again, research, medication helped to manage this. The villain would throw a punch, Val would block, perry, speed away. Until he couldn't. His last hospital visit, Val battled to the last, but complications, unforeseen, stealthy, ended this part of his story, taking his big, infectious laugh, that energy, that strength with him. Yet, those with faith and an abiding belief in the hereafter, know this isn't the story's end; it's a cliff hanger. Like all the best tales with characters, Val continues on. Listen to him in the stories Olivia makes up with her toys. See him in Abigail's incredibly determined stare. Hear him in tiny Victoria's infectious laugh. And see him in the mark he has left on all of those who have ever met, spoken, hugged, listened, danced, sang, volunteered, cheered, cried, laughed, loved him. He's all around, still moving, still saving, still being super. And like all good stories, all who loved him get to imagine their own end. Val is survived by his wife of 6.5 years Nicole Rene, and daughters Olivia, 3, Abigail, 2 and Victoria, 9 months. In lieu of flowers, Val's family asks you to support some of the many charities he supported with his time, dollars and care. They follow below. Compassion International, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries Compassion International https://www.compassion.com/donate.htm St. Jude: https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cID=14262&pID=24671&sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now Calvary Chapel: https://www.calvaryftl.org/give/new Ravi Zacharias International Ministries https://secure3.convio.net/ravi/site/SPageServer/?pagename=donatenow Online condolences to the family may be made at: www.horizonfuneralcremation.com