Newark Abbey and St. Benedict’s Prep Mourn the Passing of Abbot Emeritus Melvin Valvano, O.S.B. ’56
Rt. Rev. Melvin J. Valvano, O.S.B. ’56, Abbot Emeritus and a monk of Newark Abbey, passed away peacefully on June 28.2026. Abbot Melvin made history as both the youngest and longest-serving abbot of Newark Abbey. His leadership during a critical period, along with his enduring influence as a teacher and spiritual guide, shaped generations within the Abbey and the St. Benedict’s Preparatory School community.

Upon the resignation of his predecessor, he was elected at the age of 35 as the second Abbot of Newark Abbey on September 8, 1973. At just 35 years old, Fr. Melvin was the youngest abbot in the history of the monastery and the American-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictines. Re-elected continuously throughout his tenure as Abbot, Abbot Melvin served the community for nearly 49 years until his retirement in 2022, making him the longest-serving abbot in the history of the Congregation. In service to the wider Church, Abbot Melvin also served as Abbot President of the American-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine Abbeys from 1989 to 2001.

His election came at a critical time: The monks had decided to reopen St. Benedict’s Prep, and the abbatial election was scheduled for just two days before the first day of fall classes in the re-opened school. Under his wise leadership and guidance, the enthusiasm and energy surrounding the reopening of St. Benedict’s Prep was balanced by his emphasis on the observance of monastic life in the monastery.

“Our brother Melvin lived a life of unwavering faith, service and commitment to the monastery, the School and the City of Newark,” said Rt. Rev. Augustine Curley, O.S.B. ’74, Abbot of Newark Abbey. “He offeredwisdom without judgement, guidance without pride and love without condition. His legacy endures in the lives he touched, the unity he fostered and the vision of stability and permanence he helped bring to fruition.”

According to a 1981 article by the New York Times, one of the first things the Abbot did when St. Benedict’s re-opened that fall was to have the exterior of the old school and monastery buildings sandblasted andrepointed. “Abbot Melvin wanted to assure everyone that, despite the turbulence that had led half of the abbey’s monks to follow many Newark residents to the suburbs, St. Benedict’s was here to stay.”

Under Abbot Melvin’s leadership and guidance, and the financial support of foundations, corporations and alumni, many more investments in the Property followed. Camp Munsee, the 100-acre property in Sussex County, was gifted to the School and monastery. Vacant land was purchased from the city and the footprint of the grounds expanded with the Henry and Agnes Brennan (HAB) Center, dedicated in 1988. Radel Library was built in 1992 and Leahy House, residential housing for students who would benefit from living on the property, opened in 2000.

“The energy and enthusiasm Fr. Melvin brought to his leadership of the monastery provided the ideal balance for the School and the Abbey to prosper as cohesive units,” said Abbot Augustine.

A native of Linden, N.J. and the son of Joseph and Ella (Bologh) Valvano, Joseph Andrew Valvano was born on November 15, 1938. He was a 1956 graduate of St. Benedict's Prep and then went on to enter the novitiate for St. Mary’s Abbey, Newark and made profession in the Abbey Church on September 12, 1959. Following his monastic profession, he went on to attend St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., where he received his B.A. in Philosophy. He was ordained a priest on May 29, 1965, and served as Prior of Newark Abbey beginning in January 1969. During this time, he pursued graduate studies, completing an M.A. in French and Education at Seton Hall University, and served as a chaplain at the V.A. Hospital in East
Orange, N.J.

He is survived by two brothers, Victor and Michael.

Reception of the body and Vespers for the Dead will take place in the Abbey Church, Saint Mary’s, on Monday, July 6, 2026 beginning at 3:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 7 in the abbey church at 11:00 a.m., followed by the interment in the Abbey’s plot in St. Mary’s Cemetery, East Orange.