Longtime Main Street Businessman Named Marshal of Labor Day Parade

Labor Day Parade Director, Ed Thurber, announced Wednesday that Marlborough resident and , Cosmo Valente, has been named Grand Marshal of Marlborough’s 60th annual Labor Day Holiday Parade. This year’s Labor Day event steps off at noon on Monday, Sept. 5.

Valente is being recognized for his substantial contributions to and for his many years of dedicated service to the . His love of music and desire to teach led him to become a music instructor and band director for the Marlborough school system. He taught in this capacity for 38 years, advocating for students in the arts and developing a music program and curriculum. He believed that music and the arts were a vital and important part of a child’s learning. In addition to serving as a musical educator to the children of MPS, Valente served 16 years as a School Committee member.

In 1972, Valente incorporated his experience of teaching and his love of music into a local business, , which is still in operation today. He enjoys working, talking with citizens in our community, repairing musical instruments and encouraging participation in arts.

“What a dull and awful world this would be if we didn’t hear music at least once a day,” said Valente.

Along with his wife of 59 years, Hazel, he still resides in Marlborough and enjoys traveling and spending time with their four children, Raymond, Trina, Marcia and Sandra as well as their eight grandchildren.

During an announcement ceremony at City Hall on Wednesday, city officials thanked Valente for him many years of service by saying, "We want to thank Cosmo and formally recognize his commitment and loyalty to our city by honoring him as this year’s Labor Day Grand Marshal."

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