REFLECTIONS…… (Felix) Feliciano Fernandez Emilio Valdera, II entered this world on March 16, 1916 and was the second child of the late Harriett (Keene) and Feliciano (Val or Felix) Valdera. His sister Trummell was five years older than him and she mentored Felix throughout his life, as well as the two of them maintained an enviable and wonderful loving sister and brother relationship and companionship. The Valdera family including Felix was stalwart and proud South Philadelphians originally living at 22nd & Reed and later residing at 21st and Latona Street. Felix let all know he was a native South Philadelphian and could provide you with driving and mass transportation directions for South Philly and Philadelphia thru the end of his life.
At a young age Felix committed himself to Christ and was confirmed and attended St Simon of the Cyrenian Episcopal Church. Felix read and talked a great of agnosticism, however would always boast about his upbringing as an Episcopalian at St Simons and later saw to it that he and his family became members of Christ Church and St Michaels in becoming long time residents of Germantown-Mt. Airy.
Felix was quite diversified and gifted. He was educated in the Philadelphia Public School System and was proud he attended and graduated from Central High School. Felix wore his Class Ring of 159 (1933) thru to his death. and proudly told all of his Bachelors of Arts education and track and field athletics as a sprinter at Central High School. He proudly maintained his passion for the Penn Relays and attended annually as many relays as possible thru rain and illnesses thru his late 80's. Felix passed the civil service test at age 16 and worked at many jobs before starting his own entrepreneurial business…Paramount Record Shop at 1519 South Street which he financed thru his own mail order business and a nightly radio program Jumping at the Record Shop. During World War II, Felix joined the Army Air Corps (US Air force today); keeping his shop running while he was away. Upon Felix's return he attended and graduated from Eccle's College of Mortuary Science.
Paramount Record Shop on South Street grew and thrived to three retail shops, including one at 18th and Ridge Avenue and Empire Records at 52nd and Market Streets. Paramount became known as the place to go for records and tickets for all of the Rhythm and Blues, Gospel and Jazz shows advertised by Felix's friends at WDAS and WHAT. The shops and Felix were avid supporters of events at the Uptown, PEPS, the Showboat and other places around town that Felix would also frequent and was well known. Although Felix was best known as the owner of Paramount Records a business that thrived for 40 years, he also produced records on the VAL-UE and Red Tops labels, and promoted many shows for struggling musicians at the time including BBKing, Beryl Booker, and even Grover Washington once.
After a brief first marriage, Felix later married the late Clara Ruth Newlin of South Philadelphia, and the two of them resided for many years in the Germantown/Mt Airy section of Philadelphia and had three children: Sharon Lynn, Trummell Letitia and Feliciano (Felix) III. Felix and Clara separated in the 70's and ultimately divorced but they always share their love and legacy from their wonderful lives, times, events and parties on Johnson Street in Germantown with their families, children, friends and clubs.
As we all knew Felix he was the consummate intellect, gadfly, storyteller, and master of information and debater of geography, history, religion, African American history, metaphysics, science fiction and trivia. His passion and advocacy of the rights of all people and most of all "his people"; as Felix would proudly and passionately label and refer to himself as "a colored man and first generation Cuban American". In this vein he would advocate always in heated debates and discuss his friendship and travails with Cecil Moore, the integration of Girard College, or the race riots of Philly and elsewhere in the country. One might often hear Felix engaging in these debates on talk radio in particular with Bernie McCain or others on WWDB. Felix even lived to see our "first Colored President" as he'd refer to Barack Obama even though he couldn't remember his name. Ironically Felix received commemorative recognition upon his death as a World War II veteran from this first Colored Man's President and we know Felix is smiling and laughing with us – "he-he-he" his well known laugh!
In the end Felix enjoyed as many days as he could as a proud World War II veteran and resident of the Delaware Valley Veteran's Home on Southampton Road. His age and illness became more and more challenging but he continued to smile, enjoy Pinochle & Bingo as long as he could, cross his legs in that stoic seating poise, and enjoy his fraternization with his sister Trummell and close family and friends. Felix would often time state and remind us, "I've had a long good life and am an old soul of many lives". At the end Felix prepared himself for God and was ready to make that journey wanting us to be at peace with this, above all with his soul mate and closest friend, his sister Trummell. And for those of you who knew Felix well and his passion for science fiction, reincarnation and the after world he would tell us he'd be waiting for us in that next world and would communicate with us when he could. We know Felix is doing that today with his "he-he-he" laugh.
Felix, a passionate pinochle player, was also a member of the Frontiersman, Prince Hall Mason, Charles Young Post and Kemptwig of Germantown. As a proud World War II Veteran and after several lengthy illnesses Felix died peacefully on January 11th at the Delaware Valley Veteran Home his residence of the past six years. His cremains are buried at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
With unconditional love and kindness, Felix leaves behind his sister and best friend, Trummell Gill, children and in-laws, Sharon, Trummell Felix 3rd, Leon, Carmen, and Bobby; Grandchildren: Robby, Senalda, Nina, Miguel, and Fernanda and two great grandchildren, Katelynn and Charlie; a sister in law, Katherine Thomas; two cousins he highly regarded Walter and Ramona Keene of Ohio; two dutiful friends who helped Felix with his transition to that other side – Karen Holloway and Fatmata Barrie; and a legion of special friends.
Felix would want to share these parting words to thank all for the privilege of their friendship and having enriched his life, and as he always gave to others he would want to share with us his favorite Bible and Prayer of Protection the 91st Psalm…"For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways…With long life will I satisfy him and shew him my salvation".
Submitted With Love,
The Family
At a young age Felix committed himself to Christ and was confirmed and attended St Simon of the Cyrenian Episcopal Church. Felix read and talked a great of agnosticism, however would always boast about his upbringing as an Episcopalian at St Simons and later saw to it that he and his family became members of Christ Church and St Michaels in becoming long time residents of Germantown-Mt. Airy.
Felix was quite diversified and gifted. He was educated in the Philadelphia Public School System and was proud he attended and graduated from Central High School. Felix wore his Class Ring of 159 (1933) thru to his death. and proudly told all of his Bachelors of Arts education and track and field athletics as a sprinter at Central High School. He proudly maintained his passion for the Penn Relays and attended annually as many relays as possible thru rain and illnesses thru his late 80's. Felix passed the civil service test at age 16 and worked at many jobs before starting his own entrepreneurial business…Paramount Record Shop at 1519 South Street which he financed thru his own mail order business and a nightly radio program Jumping at the Record Shop. During World War II, Felix joined the Army Air Corps (US Air force today); keeping his shop running while he was away. Upon Felix's return he attended and graduated from Eccle's College of Mortuary Science.
Paramount Record Shop on South Street grew and thrived to three retail shops, including one at 18th and Ridge Avenue and Empire Records at 52nd and Market Streets. Paramount became known as the place to go for records and tickets for all of the Rhythm and Blues, Gospel and Jazz shows advertised by Felix's friends at WDAS and WHAT. The shops and Felix were avid supporters of events at the Uptown, PEPS, the Showboat and other places around town that Felix would also frequent and was well known. Although Felix was best known as the owner of Paramount Records a business that thrived for 40 years, he also produced records on the VAL-UE and Red Tops labels, and promoted many shows for struggling musicians at the time including BBKing, Beryl Booker, and even Grover Washington once.
After a brief first marriage, Felix later married the late Clara Ruth Newlin of South Philadelphia, and the two of them resided for many years in the Germantown/Mt Airy section of Philadelphia and had three children: Sharon Lynn, Trummell Letitia and Feliciano (Felix) III. Felix and Clara separated in the 70's and ultimately divorced but they always share their love and legacy from their wonderful lives, times, events and parties on Johnson Street in Germantown with their families, children, friends and clubs.
As we all knew Felix he was the consummate intellect, gadfly, storyteller, and master of information and debater of geography, history, religion, African American history, metaphysics, science fiction and trivia. His passion and advocacy of the rights of all people and most of all "his people"; as Felix would proudly and passionately label and refer to himself as "a colored man and first generation Cuban American". In this vein he would advocate always in heated debates and discuss his friendship and travails with Cecil Moore, the integration of Girard College, or the race riots of Philly and elsewhere in the country. One might often hear Felix engaging in these debates on talk radio in particular with Bernie McCain or others on WWDB. Felix even lived to see our "first Colored President" as he'd refer to Barack Obama even though he couldn't remember his name. Ironically Felix received commemorative recognition upon his death as a World War II veteran from this first Colored Man's President and we know Felix is smiling and laughing with us – "he-he-he" his well known laugh!
In the end Felix enjoyed as many days as he could as a proud World War II veteran and resident of the Delaware Valley Veteran's Home on Southampton Road. His age and illness became more and more challenging but he continued to smile, enjoy Pinochle & Bingo as long as he could, cross his legs in that stoic seating poise, and enjoy his fraternization with his sister Trummell and close family and friends. Felix would often time state and remind us, "I've had a long good life and am an old soul of many lives". At the end Felix prepared himself for God and was ready to make that journey wanting us to be at peace with this, above all with his soul mate and closest friend, his sister Trummell. And for those of you who knew Felix well and his passion for science fiction, reincarnation and the after world he would tell us he'd be waiting for us in that next world and would communicate with us when he could. We know Felix is doing that today with his "he-he-he" laugh.
Felix, a passionate pinochle player, was also a member of the Frontiersman, Prince Hall Mason, Charles Young Post and Kemptwig of Germantown. As a proud World War II Veteran and after several lengthy illnesses Felix died peacefully on January 11th at the Delaware Valley Veteran Home his residence of the past six years. His cremains are buried at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
With unconditional love and kindness, Felix leaves behind his sister and best friend, Trummell Gill, children and in-laws, Sharon, Trummell Felix 3rd, Leon, Carmen, and Bobby; Grandchildren: Robby, Senalda, Nina, Miguel, and Fernanda and two great grandchildren, Katelynn and Charlie; a sister in law, Katherine Thomas; two cousins he highly regarded Walter and Ramona Keene of Ohio; two dutiful friends who helped Felix with his transition to that other side – Karen Holloway and Fatmata Barrie; and a legion of special friends.
Felix would want to share these parting words to thank all for the privilege of their friendship and having enriched his life, and as he always gave to others he would want to share with us his favorite Bible and Prayer of Protection the 91st Psalm…"For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways…With long life will I satisfy him and shew him my salvation".
Submitted With Love,
The Family
REFLECTIONS…… (Felix) Feliciano Fernandez Emilio Valdera, II entered this world on March 16, 1916 and was the second child of the late Harriett (Keene) and Feliciano (Val or Felix) Valdera. His sister Trummell was five years older than him and she mentored Felix throughout his life, as well as the two of them maintained an enviable and wonderful loving sister and brother relationship and companionship. The Valdera family including Felix was stalwart and proud South Philadelphians originally living at 22nd & Reed and later residing at 21st and Latona Street. Felix let all know he was a native South Philadelphian and could provide you with driving and mass transportation directions for South Philly and Philadelphia thru the end of his life.
At a young age Felix committed himself to Christ and was confirmed and attended St Simon of the Cyrenian Episcopal Church. Felix read and talked a great of agnosticism, however would always boast about his upbringing as an Episcopalian at St Simons and later saw to it that he and his family became members of Christ Church and St Michaels in becoming long time residents of Germantown-Mt. Airy.
Felix was quite diversified and gifted. He was educated in the Philadelphia Public School System and was proud he attended and graduated from Central High School. Felix wore his Class Ring of 159 (1933) thru to his death. and proudly told all of his Bachelors of Arts education and track and field athletics as a sprinter at Central High School. He proudly maintained his passion for the Penn Relays and attended annually as many relays as possible thru rain and illnesses thru his late 80's. Felix passed the civil service test at age 16 and worked at many jobs before starting his own entrepreneurial business…Paramount Record Shop at 1519 South Street which he financed thru his own mail order business and a nightly radio program Jumping at the Record Shop. During World War II, Felix joined the Army Air Corps (US Air force today); keeping his shop running while he was away. Upon Felix's return he attended and graduated from Eccle's College of Mortuary Science.
Paramount Record Shop on South Street grew and thrived to three retail shops, including one at 18th and Ridge Avenue and Empire Records at 52nd and Market Streets. Paramount became known as the place to go for records and tickets for all of the Rhythm and Blues, Gospel and Jazz shows advertised by Felix's friends at WDAS and WHAT. The shops and Felix were avid supporters of events at the Uptown, PEPS, the Showboat and other places around town that Felix would also frequent and was well known. Although Felix was best known as the owner of Paramount Records a business that thrived for 40 years, he also produced records on the VAL-UE and Red Tops labels, and promoted many shows for struggling musicians at the time including BBKing, Beryl Booker, and even Grover Washington once.
After a brief first marriage, Felix later married the late Clara Ruth Newlin of South Philadelphia, and the two of them resided for many years in the Germantown/Mt Airy section of Philadelphia and had three children: Sharon Lynn, Trummell Letitia and Feliciano (Felix) III. Felix and Clara separated in the 70's and ultimately divorced but they always share their love and legacy from their wonderful lives, times, events and parties on Johnson Street in Germantown with their families, children, friends and clubs.
As we all knew Felix he was the consummate intellect, gadfly, storyteller, and master of information and debater of geography, history, religion, African American history, metaphysics, science fiction and trivia. His passion and advocacy of the rights of all people and most of all "his people"; as Felix would proudly and passionately label and refer to himself as "a colored man and first generation Cuban American". In this vein he would advocate always in heated debates and discuss his friendship and travails with Cecil Moore, the integration of Girard College, or the race riots of Philly and elsewhere in the country. One might often hear Felix engaging in these debates on talk radio in particular with Bernie McCain or others on WWDB. Felix even lived to see our "first Colored President" as he'd refer to Barack Obama even though he couldn't remember his name. Ironically Felix received commemorative recognition upon his death as a World War II veteran from this first Colored Man's President and we know Felix is smiling and laughing with us – "he-he-he" his well known laugh!
In the end Felix enjoyed as many days as he could as a proud World War II veteran and resident of the Delaware Valley Veteran's Home on Southampton Road. His age and illness became more and more challenging but he continued to smile, enjoy Pinochle & Bingo as long as he could, cross his legs in that stoic seating poise, and enjoy his fraternization with his sister Trummell and close family and friends. Felix would often time state and remind us, "I've had a long good life and am an old soul of many lives". At the end Felix prepared himself for God and was ready to make that journey wanting us to be at peace with this, above all with his soul mate and closest friend, his sister Trummell. And for those of you who knew Felix well and his passion for science fiction, reincarnation and the after world he would tell us he'd be waiting for us in that next world and would communicate with us when he could. We know Felix is doing that today with his "he-he-he" laugh.
Felix, a passionate pinochle player, was also a member of the Frontiersman, Prince Hall Mason, Charles Young Post and Kemptwig of Germantown. As a proud World War II Veteran and after several lengthy illnesses Felix died peacefully on January 11th at the Delaware Valley Veteran Home his residence of the past six years. His cremains are buried at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
With unconditional love and kindness, Felix leaves behind his sister and best friend, Trummell Gill, children and in-laws, Sharon, Trummell Felix 3rd, Leon, Carmen, and Bobby; Grandchildren: Robby, Senalda, Nina, Miguel, and Fernanda and two great grandchildren, Katelynn and Charlie; a sister in law, Katherine Thomas; two cousins he highly regarded Walter and Ramona Keene of Ohio; two dutiful friends who helped Felix with his transition to that other side – Karen Holloway and Fatmata Barrie; and a legion of special friends.
Felix would want to share these parting words to thank all for the privilege of their friendship and having enriched his life, and as he always gave to others he would want to share with us his favorite Bible and Prayer of Protection the 91st Psalm…"For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways…With long life will I satisfy him and shew him my salvation".
Submitted With Love,
The Family
At a young age Felix committed himself to Christ and was confirmed and attended St Simon of the Cyrenian Episcopal Church. Felix read and talked a great of agnosticism, however would always boast about his upbringing as an Episcopalian at St Simons and later saw to it that he and his family became members of Christ Church and St Michaels in becoming long time residents of Germantown-Mt. Airy.
Felix was quite diversified and gifted. He was educated in the Philadelphia Public School System and was proud he attended and graduated from Central High School. Felix wore his Class Ring of 159 (1933) thru to his death. and proudly told all of his Bachelors of Arts education and track and field athletics as a sprinter at Central High School. He proudly maintained his passion for the Penn Relays and attended annually as many relays as possible thru rain and illnesses thru his late 80's. Felix passed the civil service test at age 16 and worked at many jobs before starting his own entrepreneurial business…Paramount Record Shop at 1519 South Street which he financed thru his own mail order business and a nightly radio program Jumping at the Record Shop. During World War II, Felix joined the Army Air Corps (US Air force today); keeping his shop running while he was away. Upon Felix's return he attended and graduated from Eccle's College of Mortuary Science.
Paramount Record Shop on South Street grew and thrived to three retail shops, including one at 18th and Ridge Avenue and Empire Records at 52nd and Market Streets. Paramount became known as the place to go for records and tickets for all of the Rhythm and Blues, Gospel and Jazz shows advertised by Felix's friends at WDAS and WHAT. The shops and Felix were avid supporters of events at the Uptown, PEPS, the Showboat and other places around town that Felix would also frequent and was well known. Although Felix was best known as the owner of Paramount Records a business that thrived for 40 years, he also produced records on the VAL-UE and Red Tops labels, and promoted many shows for struggling musicians at the time including BBKing, Beryl Booker, and even Grover Washington once.
After a brief first marriage, Felix later married the late Clara Ruth Newlin of South Philadelphia, and the two of them resided for many years in the Germantown/Mt Airy section of Philadelphia and had three children: Sharon Lynn, Trummell Letitia and Feliciano (Felix) III. Felix and Clara separated in the 70's and ultimately divorced but they always share their love and legacy from their wonderful lives, times, events and parties on Johnson Street in Germantown with their families, children, friends and clubs.
As we all knew Felix he was the consummate intellect, gadfly, storyteller, and master of information and debater of geography, history, religion, African American history, metaphysics, science fiction and trivia. His passion and advocacy of the rights of all people and most of all "his people"; as Felix would proudly and passionately label and refer to himself as "a colored man and first generation Cuban American". In this vein he would advocate always in heated debates and discuss his friendship and travails with Cecil Moore, the integration of Girard College, or the race riots of Philly and elsewhere in the country. One might often hear Felix engaging in these debates on talk radio in particular with Bernie McCain or others on WWDB. Felix even lived to see our "first Colored President" as he'd refer to Barack Obama even though he couldn't remember his name. Ironically Felix received commemorative recognition upon his death as a World War II veteran from this first Colored Man's President and we know Felix is smiling and laughing with us – "he-he-he" his well known laugh!
In the end Felix enjoyed as many days as he could as a proud World War II veteran and resident of the Delaware Valley Veteran's Home on Southampton Road. His age and illness became more and more challenging but he continued to smile, enjoy Pinochle & Bingo as long as he could, cross his legs in that stoic seating poise, and enjoy his fraternization with his sister Trummell and close family and friends. Felix would often time state and remind us, "I've had a long good life and am an old soul of many lives". At the end Felix prepared himself for God and was ready to make that journey wanting us to be at peace with this, above all with his soul mate and closest friend, his sister Trummell. And for those of you who knew Felix well and his passion for science fiction, reincarnation and the after world he would tell us he'd be waiting for us in that next world and would communicate with us when he could. We know Felix is doing that today with his "he-he-he" laugh.
Felix, a passionate pinochle player, was also a member of the Frontiersman, Prince Hall Mason, Charles Young Post and Kemptwig of Germantown. As a proud World War II Veteran and after several lengthy illnesses Felix died peacefully on January 11th at the Delaware Valley Veteran Home his residence of the past six years. His cremains are buried at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
With unconditional love and kindness, Felix leaves behind his sister and best friend, Trummell Gill, children and in-laws, Sharon, Trummell Felix 3rd, Leon, Carmen, and Bobby; Grandchildren: Robby, Senalda, Nina, Miguel, and Fernanda and two great grandchildren, Katelynn and Charlie; a sister in law, Katherine Thomas; two cousins he highly regarded Walter and Ramona Keene of Ohio; two dutiful friends who helped Felix with his transition to that other side – Karen Holloway and Fatmata Barrie; and a legion of special friends.
Felix would want to share these parting words to thank all for the privilege of their friendship and having enriched his life, and as he always gave to others he would want to share with us his favorite Bible and Prayer of Protection the 91st Psalm…"For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways…With long life will I satisfy him and shew him my salvation".
Submitted With Love,
The Family
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