CNBNews

Msgr. Donald D. Velozo, 74, of Northfield, died on Sunday, Oct. 7, at Our Lady’s Residence Health Care Center, Pleasantville. 

He was born on April 4, 1933, in Somerset, MA to the late Jesse V. and the late Dorothy (Rogers) Velozo. An Air Force Veteran of the Korean War, he was ordained a priest on May 22, 1965, and appointed Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II on Oct. 22, 1984.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s College, Kentucky and his master’s degree in theology from Christ the King, St. Bonaventure, N.Y. He also received a master’s degree in history from Villanova University and a master’s degree in school administration from Glassboro State College.

Msgr. Velozo presently was the pastor of St. Bernadette Church in Northfield. He previously was appointed to the following parishes: Our Lady of the Angels, Cape May Court House; St. Mary, Williamstown; St. John Neumann, Sicklerville; Holy Rosary, Cherry Hill; St. Joseph, Swedesboro; and St. Andrew, Gibbsboro. 

He was formerly on the faculty of Gloucester Catholic High School, St. James High School, and St. Joseph High School, Camden. He was the first director of the Permanent Diaconate Program for the Diocese of Camden and director of Vianney Villa in Cherry Hill. 

He did retreat work at the St. Pius X Spiritual Life Center in Blackwood and was dean of the Atlantic Deanery.

“He was one of the most dedicated pastors that I’ve ever met,” said Father Edward F. Heintzelman, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Mays Landing.

“He always looked out for someone else, a very unselfish type of person,” Father Heintzelman said. “Always there for the needs of the people of his parishes.” 

Msgr. Velozo is survived by his two sisters, Judith Ponte and her husband, Joseph of Somerset, MA, and Helen Correira and her husband, James of Swansea, MA; his three brothers, Gerald and his wife, Terry of West Palm Beach, FL, Robert and his wife, Shirley of Cape May, N.J., and Kenneth and his wife, Sherry of Somerset, MA;  his sister in law, Lillian of Swansea, MA; and his uncle, Albert Rogers and his wife, Laura of Fall River, MA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jesse V. Velozo, Jr.

The funeral Mass was celebrated Thursday, Oct. 11, at St. Bernadette Church. Interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River, MA. 

In lieu of flowers and Mass cards, donations may be made to the Msgr. Donald D. Velozo Memorial Fund, St. Bernadette Church, 1421 New Road, Northfield, NJ 08225.  Condolences at www.radzieta.com