Ismael (Smiley) Valle

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ismael “Smiley” Valle, 53 of Sahuarita, Arizona. Smiley was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, Uncle, Compadre and Friend. Smiley departed peacefully on Monday September 2, 2024. He is preceded in death by his Father, Emigdio Valle.

Ismael “Smiley” was a devoted husband to his wife and best friend of 36 years, Marie (Isabel) Burruel Valle, and a proud father to his best buddy and son, Damian Valle and his daughter and princess, Melyssa Valle. He was also a cherished son to Norma Valle, and a loving brother to Luis Manuel, Pedro (Maria), Maribel (Charlie) Rodriguez, and Jesse (Brisa) Valle. A loving Uncle who had a very special bond with his nieces and nephews: Luis Alonso (Gladys) Valle, Yessenia (Melanie) Valle, Andrea, Crystal Mendoza, Lupita, Emma, Nicholas, Joel, Gael, and Elly.

Smiley was also a loved and adored member of the Burruel family. Survived by Mother-in-law, Carmen Ortiz Burruel, Terri (Gary) Rosenberg, Laura Burruel, Carmen (Steve) Orozco, Armando (Lora) Burruel, George (Sheila) Burruel. nieces and nephews, Raul Burruel, Chris (Nicole) Burruel, J.D. Burruel, Emily (Matt) Bonney, Jesse (Tamara) Burruel, Carlos Burruel, Katrina Haro, Roman Burruel, Daniel Burruel Jr, Crystal Burruel, David Snider, Frank (Lori) Granillo, Amanda (Allen) Brandt, Alexandria (Brett) Fibus, Jessica Long and numerous great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his best friends and Compadres Frank (Lori) Granillo, Sergio (Tricia) Torrez and Ray (Sandra) Meranza.

Ismael was born on August 18, 1971, in Nogales, Mexico to Emigdio and Norma Valle. An avid baseball fan with Atlanta Braves as his number one team! An equal passion for politics and ASU made for some interesting conversations at home, on the golf course, social media and text messages with family and friends lol. Smiley was a very kind and special soul. He made friends everywhere he went and was the funniest, positive, and most upbeat person to be around. He provided our family with constant laughter and entertainment leaving us with an abundance of wonderful memories to be cherished forever.

Smiley was a beloved and esteemed member of the Santa Rita Landscaping staff for over 30 years. As a Superintendent of the Custom Residential Department, he took great pride in his work. Many of his designs and hard work won numerous awards over the years. He loved every one of his co-workers. He developed and maintained close relationships with many of the homeowners, customers and vendors he connected with throughout the years of his time with SRL.

To my beloved husband, what an inspiration you are! You fought your hardest to the very last minute on this earth. You are by far the bravest person I have ever known and the most positive throughout your entire journey. You battled for 6 and a half years and giving up was never an option for you. Even on your worse days, you gave it all you had. I will forever hold our moments together near and dear to my heart. Our daily drives into Tucson for transfusions and appointments might have been stressful at the time, but those were our moments where the most real and heartfelt conversations took place. I am going to miss our day dates and date nights, our random trips to Madera Canyon, our Tubac getaways. And most of all, sharing the love of music with each other. You gave the kids and I the best life ever, making us laugh all day every day. I promise to keep your memory alive, to hold onto the faith and always put God first just like you did. The last thing you told the kids and I was, “Stick together”. I promise you we will. I love you, Melly. You will forever be my HERO and my BEST FRIEND - You and me baby, always and forever. Rest in peace my warrior.

A very special thank you to the doctors and nurses that were with us from the beginning and became family. Our wonderful Transfusion nurses at Northwest Hospital La Cholla, Kelly, Rachel and Molly. Thank you for spoiling him and making him feel so special. He loved you three so much.

To Smiley’s Oncology team, Dr. Bruce Porterfield, Dr. Donald Brooks, Dr. Robert Gin, Maureen Wallace, Nereida, Maricela, Jesse, Emilia, Glenna, Chris and of course, RN, Jenni Tobias and the entire team of Arizona Oncology. To our medical team at Arizona Blood and Cancer, Dr. Andrew Orton, Jennifer, Tori, Myra, Marisol, Margie, Barb, Melissa. We thank each and every one of you for all that you did to give us this extra time with Smiley. We will forever be grateful to all of you.

To my sister Carmen Orozco, who was his nurse from the very beginning. He never would have made it this far if it weren’t for you encouraging him and talking to him through his worse days. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And of course, a special thank you to all of our friends and family for all of your support and love over the last 6 and a half years. We will never forget the part you played in Ismael’s journey.

Visitation and Rosary for Ismael “Smiley” Valle will be held Thursday September 12, 2024, from 5pm to 9pm at Martinez Funeral Chapel located at 2580 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85713.

A memorial mass will be held Friday September 13, 2024, at 9:30am at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church located at 505 N. La Canada Drive, Green Valley, Arizona 85614.

**To Liana, his great niece with whom he had a special connection with. Your Tio Smiley is just a “wave” away up in the sky. He will always be with you, loving and watching over you all the days of your life.

Smiley will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy of love and laughter will live on in the hearts of his family and friends forever.