Velozo, Rev. Msgr. Donald D., 74, of Northfield, NJ, passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at Our Lady’s Residence Health Care Center, Pleasantville, NJ. 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 October 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, NY. 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’s, 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 Schoo l, 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 Retreat House in Blackwood and was Dean of the Atlantic Deanery.
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, NJ, 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.
Reception of the body will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at St. Bernadette Church, 1421 New Road, Northfield, where viewing will take place from 1:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Mass of Jesus Christ the High Priest will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church. Viewing will also be on Thursday, October 11, 2007 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at St. Bernadette Church. Funeral Mass will begin on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in 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
Local funeral arrangements will take place from the Manuel Rogers & Sons Funeral Home, 1521 N. Main St. on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 7:45 AM followed by a funeral mass in St. John of God Church, Brayton Ave. Somerset at 9:00 A.M. Interment in St. Patrick Cemetery. Calling hours Friday 4-8 P.M.