Joel A. Miele Sr.

Joel Arthur Miele Sr., (Captain U.S. Navy, retired) (Rear Admiral New York Naval Militia) of Howard Beach, NY, died peacefully at home on Monday, May 6th, 2013 surrounded by his wife Josephine, children Joel, Jr., VitaMarie Miele Chu and Janet Powers and brother Jean Miele, sister Lana Miele, and Eleanor Miele Herczeg. Born May 28, 1934, in Jersey City, NJ, Mr. Miele was the son of Gennaro S. and Eleanor N. Miele. A graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, he attended Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, where he earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1957, was commissioned in the Civil Engineer Corp., served over three years on active duty and 29 years on inactive duty, and retired at the rank of Captain in the Reserve of the Corp. He began practicing as a professional engineer in 1960, served as New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner from 1994 to 1996, served as New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner from 1996 to 2002, and served as a Commissioner at the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals from 2002 to 2005. He and his wife, Josephine Ann Miele, were married February 14, 1959. They began their married life in Norfolk, VA, and moved to Howard Beach in 1961. Mr. Miele is survived by seven grandchildren, a brother, two sisters, many nieces and nephews and very dear friends. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Visiting will be today and Thursday from 2-4pm and from 7-9pm at Quinn-Fogarty, 162-14 Sanford Avenue, Flushing. A service will be celebrated Thursday at 8pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc., or the Queens Library, would be appreciated.