Joseph T. Velsini, 78, of Oceanside, N.Y., passed away on June 28, 2021, after a brief illness.

He was born in Port Henry, N.Y., on May 18, 1943, the son of Joseph A. and Thomasina Velsini. He graduated from Port Henry High School and SUNY Cortland. He was a Physical Education teacher at Hewlett High School in Hewlett, N.Y., for over 30 years. After retirement, he was an adjunct professor of Physical Education at Nassau Community College.

He coached football at Nassau Community College for 37 years. While he was coaching, the Nassau Lions played in the National Junior College Championship and were the 3rd ranked Junior College football team in the country. Coaching football was Joe's vocation. He always remembered that a coach was a teacher first. He had a tremendous influence on his players and will be remembered by them as a good role model, an effective teacher, and a positive, motivating, and caring coach.

He is survived by his sister, Maria Velsini, of Port Henry, N.Y., his niece, Elana Eng and her husband, David, of New Jersey and their children, Daniel, Theresa, and Nicholas Eng. His dear friend, Pamela Sylvester, and several cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother and sister-in-law, Louis P. and Barbara Velsini.

He was a loving and devoted son, brother, and uncle. He was loved and will be missed by all.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on July 5, 2021, at St. Patrick's Church in Port Henry, N.Y. Burial will follow at St. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Moriah, N.Y.