Thomas Graziano

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Native Staten Islander Thomas Graziano Jr., 80, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., a devoted father whose children recall his sacrifices on their behalf with gratitude and pride, died yesterday at home.

Born and raised in Sunnyside, Mr. Graziano graduated from St. Peter's Boys High School and attended Seton Hall University. He also lived on Ward Hill before moving to Silver Lake. He relocated to Tarpon Springs in 1995.

He served in the U.S. Air Force as an airplane mechanic during the Korean War era, stationed in Hawaii. He was honorably discharged in 1954.

Mr. Graziano worked as a union plumber, first with Local 371 on the Island, and then with Local 1. He retired in the early 1990s.

He enjoyed playing cards and golfing at Silver Lake Golf Course. In Florida, he was a member of the Italian American Club.

"He was a great dad," said his daughter, Patricia Loscalzo. "He was 32 when my mother died of cancer at 28. He had four young children to raise alone, and a mountain of medical bills. I know the sacrifices he made for us and the many hours of hard work he put in to keep our family together. We are so grateful for everything he did."

Mr. Graziano was a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Tompkinsville, while living on the Island.

His wife, the former Betty Jo Wheeles, died in 1964.

Surviving, along with his daughter, Patricia, are his sons, Thomas III, Steven and Robert; his brother, Basil; his sister, Elizabeth Scuderi; nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Monday from the Casey Funeral Home, with a mass at 10:45 a.m. in St. Teresa's R.C. Church, both Castleton Corners. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.