Thomas Velten, Jr

Thomas J. Velten Jr., 84, of Prince's Bay, a U.S. Air Force veteran, retired FDNY firefighter, respected businessman and steadfast family man, died Sunday at home.

The lifelong Staten Islander was born in Great Kills. He also lived in Dongan Hills and Tottenville before settling in Prince's Bay.

Mr. Velten graduated from St. Peter's Boys' High School.

He served in the Air Force from 1950 to 1954, and was stationed in Greenland.

He spent a year in the NYPD before joining the Fire Department, where he served for 20 years. He was first assigned to the Marine Division in Manhattan, aboard fireboats, and retired in 1977 from Ladder Co. 81 in South Beach. He was a member of the FDNY Retirees.

Mr. Velten and his wife, Patricia, founded Island Chateau, the catering hall on West Fingerboard Road, in 1976.

Hardworking, generous and selfless, he always put others before himself, his family said. He was a man of few words, who led by example. He adored his family and what he wanted most in the world was for them to be happy, they added.

Mr. Velten enjoyed watching and going to NASCAR races, and was an enthusiastic New York Giants football fan.

His sons-in-law, Joseph Serra, Rick Lewandowski and Alan Breslow, were like sons to him, said his daughter, Teri Breslow.

Mr. Velten's wife, Patricia, died in 1987. He also was preceded in death by his daughters, Lynda Serra in 1995, and Judi Velten in 1993.

Surviving, along with his daughter, Teri, are his daughters, Patricia Sigmon and Tammy Lewandowski; his sister, Patricia O'Mahony; 14 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Thursday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a Mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Clare's Chapel, Great Kills. Burial will follow in Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood.

Services: St. Clare's Chapel Thursday, September 24, 2015 9:30AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Tuesday, September 22, 2015 & Wednesday, September 23, 2015 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Ocean View Cemetery

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Clare's RC Church