Obituary of Steven Velasquez

<b><font color="#000000">VELASQUEZ</font></b> <font color="#000000">- Lieutenant Steven Velasquez, Bridgeport Fire Department, age 40, beloved husband of Marianne Marquez Velasquez of Bridgeport, died tragically on July 24, 2010, while fighting a structure fire on Elmwood Ave, Bridgeport. Born in Minneapolis, MN on October 23, 1969, he was the son of Carol Reed Velasquez of MN and the late Joseph Velasquez. Lt. Velasquez was a 16 year veteran of the Bridgeport Fire Department. Prior to joining the Bridgeport Fire Dept. he served in the Prince George County, MD Fire Dept. from 1990 to 1994. Lt. Velasquez's last assignment in Prince George County was as the Career Technician of Company 33. During his 16 years in Bridgeport, Lt. Velasquez was decorated numerous times for courageous actions including the Medal of Valor, Medal of Merit and four Unit Citation Ribbons. These awards reflect great credit on Lt. Velasquez and his service with the Bridgeport, CT Fire Dept. In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by his cherished 20 ms. old daughter, Salina Velasquez and his cherished son, Aaron J. Marquez, both of Bridgeport; a brother, Jason Velasquez and a sister, Cynthia Mattice and her husband, Shawn, all of MN; he is also survived by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his father, Lt. Velasquez was predeceased by Salina's infant twin sister, Sofia Velasquez. A Mass of Christian Burial, MEETING DIRECTLY AT CHURCH, will be celebrated on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 10:00 AM in St. Augustine Cathedral, 359, Washington Ave., Bridgeport. Interment with full departmental honors will directly follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Bridgeport. Lt. Velasquez will lay in state at the Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave<i>., </i>Bridgeport, on Thursday, July 29, 2010 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lt. Velasquez's Children's Scholarship Fund, c/o Patriot National Bank, 1755 Black Rock Tpk., Fairfield, CT 06825<b>. The Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Ave., Ansonia</b>, is in care of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com . </font>