Valley Oil began with a simple mission: to offer reliable fuel delivery to families across South Yonkers. What started as a two-person operation has grown into a business that continues to serve communities throughout Westchester County and the Bronx.
This is the story of how one family’s dedication to service has kept homes warm and businesses running for more than seven decades.
Joseph A. “Red” Tocco and his brother-in-law founded Valley Oil in the early 1950s with nothing more than determination and a vision. Operating from a tin storage shed and the basement of Joseph’s home, they started by delivering coal, ice and kerosene to customers primarily in South Yonkers.
The business model was straightforward but effective: providing essential services that families needed to keep their homes comfortable and functional. As customer demand evolved, so did the offerings. The company soon transitioned to delivering heating oil and diesel fuel, which remain our primary products today.
In 1963, the next generation joined the family business when Joseph P. Tocco, son of the founder, came aboard. At this pivotal time, Valley Oil operated with just two trucks and employed a part-time driver during the busy winter months. The company was also expanding its oil burner service department, recognizing that customers needed comprehensive heating solutions beyond just fuel delivery.
When Joseph A. retired in 1978, Joseph P. took the reins alongside his wife, Josephine. Their partnership would prove instrumental in the company’s growth over the following decades. Under their leadership, Valley Oil began its transformation from a small mom-and-pop operation into a more substantial regional business.
The 1980s marked a period of significant growth and modernization for Valley Oil. In 1983, Joseph P. made the strategic decision to move the company out of its original tin storage shed and basement office to a new building with a garage. This move to what is still our garage demonstrated the company’s commitment to professional operations and customer service.
Two years later, in 1985, Joseph P. purchased a two-family house adjacent to the new garage. The house was renovated in 1991 to become Valley Oil’s current offices, providing a professional environment for taking care of our customers and our operations.
The early 1990s brought fresh energy to Valley Oil as Joseph P. and Josephine’s two sons joined the family business. One, Paul, worked as an apprentice, learning the technical aspects of the heating industry, including oil burner and boiler service, repair and installation. He also took on the responsibility of maintaining the company’s growing fleet of delivery vehicles.
Meanwhile, Joseph J. “Joey Jr.” pursued accounting studies in college, and for a decade he gained valuable experience in public accounting while contributing to the family business part time. This dual approach gave him both an outside perspective and a deep familiarity with Valley Oil’s operations.
This period also saw Joseph P. implement an ambitious territorial expansion strategy. We extended our service area beyond Yonkers and lower Westchester County into Northern Westchester County and the Sound Shore communities, significantly broadening our customer base.
Joseph P. recognized that strategic acquisitions could accelerate Valley Oil’s growth while serving existing customers better. In 1996, he made the company’s first acquisition by purchasing the customer list of Diamond Oil, a small local Yonkers company.
This successful integration led to more acquisitions, allowing Valley Oil to serve even more families and businesses in their community.
The summer of 2013 brought unexpected change when Joseph P. passed away. Josephine Tocco, who had been co-running the business since 1978, stepped into a greater leadership role, and her experience and deep understanding of Valley Oil’s operations ensured continuity during this challenging period.
Currently, the company operates under a clear leadership structure that honors both tradition and expertise. Josephine serves as president, while Joseph J. handles financial operations as controller and Paul manages service operations and fleet maintenance as service manager.
In the Bronx and throughout Westchester, Valley Oil continues the tradition established by “Red” Tocco more than 70 years ago. What sets Valley Oil apart is our understanding that heating service and fuel delivery are about more than just business: They’re about keeping families comfortable and companies running smoothly. This philosophy, passed down through three generations, remains at the heart of everything we do.
Valley Oil’s story demonstrates how family values, commitment to service and strategic growth can build a lasting business that truly serves its community.
If you are looking for residential or commercial fuel services that you can trust to be there for you, you’ve come to the right place! With more than 70 years of experience in providing those services to our neighbors, we’re ready to take good care of you. Become a customer today!