Philip Francis Valenti, a member of the Auction Edge leadership team, died on Feb. 18, the company announced. He was 44 years old.

Valenti, vice president of CRSimplified, was the founder of IfThenAuto, a company acquired by Auction Edge in 2021.

CRSimplified is an innovative mobile solution (app) designed for auctions and consignors to create, publish, and host comprehensive condition reports. It creates accurate buyer and seller condition reports in record time for the wholesale automotive remarketing industry.

It was developed by IfThenAuto, the software arm of Lenders Assistance Corporation, which has been remarketing vehicles since 1984.

Valenti’s passion for the remarketing industry was unrivaled and persevering, according to the Auction Edge obituary. His knack for innovation and seeing the future of auto remarketing was a source of inspiration for all who knew him, and his contributions will be felt well into the future.

Born on Jan. 13, 1980, in Plantation Florida, Phil graduated from the University of Florida before starting on many ventures. He loved his work and often looked for new ventures to start.

Philip Valenti is survived by his wife Tharina of nearly 15 years; sons, Elijah and Rohen and his daughter, Michaelah; parents, Philip and Connie Valenti; father-in-law, Paul Gerritsen and mother-in-law, Drienie Gerritsen; brother, Michael; sister, Andrea (Matt Pittinaro and their son Brody); brothers-in-law, Marco Gerritsen and Stefan Steyn, and sister-in-law, Fione Steyn.

He will always be remembered as a loving husband and father who put his children above all things, and friend to many.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alphonse and Flora Valenti; Charles and Flori Swart (Tharina’s grandparents); Amos Stock; uncles, Frances and Paul Valenti.

Valenti was a devout Christian whose faith never wavered.

Funeral services and viewing were held Feb. 23 at Devoted City Church in Raleigh, North Carolina and he was buried at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens in nearby Wake Forest.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to a family fund for the children. Please send checks to: Bank of America, 919 Gateway Commons Circle, Wake Forest, NC 27587 — Re: Valenti Children Fund | Account: 237051633228.