Joseph
Valeriano
aka
Joe Reno

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

Camden Courier-Post * October 29, 1935

Walcott and King Fight for Title Belt Tonight
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 ty=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.

Kings' 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 de« 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 yearg 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.

Camden Courier-Post - April 24, 1936

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.

Officer Joseph Valeriano

January 10, 1947
at the
Police Department Stable

Click Here
To Supersize Image

From Left: Joseph "Joe Reno" Valeriano,
unknown, unknown, Sergeant Tom Kelly, 
Detective Nate Jones, unknown, 
Chief William Neale,
Detective "Pete" Sunkett, unknown

Page 39

Camden Courier-Post - July 14, 1967

Camden Courier-Post - July 15, 1967

...continued below...

Camden Courier-Post - July 17, 2002

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.