Miguel “Mikey” Valentine Jr. was born on March 7, 1977, at Cumberland Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, to his proud parents, Elisabeth Fermaint and Miguel Valentine Sr. He peacefully passed away on May 27, 2026, in Daytona, Florida. While his passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of those who loved him, his memory will continue to shine brightly as a reflection of a life well lived, filled with love, laughter, and lasting connections.

He leaves behind a loving circle of family who were central to his world: his mothers, Elisabeth Fermaint and Corinne Fermaint, whose love and support shaped him from the very beginning. His sisters—Heaven Davidson, Elizabeth Valentine, Kimberly Valentine, Destiny Valentine, Esther Valentine, Wykiria Stanford and Charline Stanford—each hold treasured memories of Miguel’s compassion and loyalty. His brothers, Jermaine Valentine, Rodney Stanford, Melvin Stanford, Le-khan Ward, along with his brother-in-laws, Edilson Baccarin and Tocorey Oughterson, carry forward the bond of brotherhood that defined much of his life. His legacy of love also lives on through his cherished nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and godchildren, all of whom held a special place in his heart.

Miguel was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Amado Fermaint, Ana Fermaint, Miguel Valentin and Kathy Colon Rivera ; his father, Miguel Valentine Sr.; and his brother, Mitchell Valentine. Though they are no longer with us, their love, guidance, and lasting influence helped shape the man Miguel became and remain forever cherished in the hearts of his family.

Miguel attended elementary school in Brooklyn, New York. In 1987, his family moved to Arecibo, Puerto Rico, where they lived with his grandparents, Amado and Ana Fermaint. In 1990, the family returned to New York and settled in the Bronx, where they lived with the Diaz family. Miguel later graduated from I.S. 74 Junior High School and attended Alfred E. Smith High School with aspirations of becoming an architect.

Miguel’s passion for the business side of retail began at Old Navy, where he quickly rose into leadership roles across visual merchandising, logistics, and sales. His talent for building things from the ground up led him to launch new locations and open stores for major brands like Forever 21, The Children’s Place, and Dr. Martens, before later branching out into the jewelry and optical fields with Zales and LensCrafters.

Driven by an unmatched work ethic, Miguel had zero tolerance for laziness. He led entirely by example—consistently the first in and the last out, always giving 110 percent. He took immense pride in his career, ensuring that every project, store, and display bore his signature perfection and what those who knew him fondly called "the Miguel touch."

Miguel was a man of immense warmth, kindness, and strength, remembered for his gentle spirit and unwavering love for his family and friends. He shared laughter freely and was a constant source of support, often stepping into a fatherly role for his siblings to offer guidance and encouragement whenever it was needed.

Though his journey has ended, Miguel’s memory lives on through the stories and love shared by those closest to him. His devotion as a son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend will continue to be a source of strength, comfort, and light for years to come.