LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Thomas Casatelli upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the Victor V. Allegretti Memorial Man of
the Year Award by the American Legion Kings County Youth Recreational
Facilities, Inc. on April 10, 2016

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Casatelli has given not only of his time and energies
but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Thomas Casa-
telli upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Victor V.
Allegretti Memorial Man of the Year Award by American Legion Kings Coun-
ty Youth Recreational Facilities, Inc. to be celebrated at its 22nd
Annual Baseball Fundraiser on Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Gargiulo's
Restaurant, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, American Legion Kings County Youth Recreational Facilities,
Inc. provides and maintains baseball fields for use by neighborhood
youth organizations and schools in Brooklyn, New York, allowing thou-
sands of children to play baseball in a clean and safe environment at no
cost to them or their families; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Casatelli is the oldest of five brothers born to Timmy
and Sandra Casatelli in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn in 1970; after
moving to Bay Ridge in 1982, Tom played baseball and soccer at St.
Patrick's Boys High School; as an adult, he became a respected coach to
many neighborhood kids in those same leagues he once played in as a
child; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from St. Peter's Boys High School, Thomas
Casatelli attended Brooklyn College for a few semesters; he then went on
to join the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served as a
Corporal in a combat unit during Desert Storm; and
WHEREAS, Upon returning stateside, Thomas Casatelli earned his Associ-
ate's degree from Kingsborough Community College before joining the
ranks of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY); and
WHEREAS, As a member of Engine Company 226, Thomas Casatelli was the
recipient of several medals for his rescue of an elderly man from a
collapsed building on State Street in Downtown Brooklyn in 2000; and
WHEREAS, As a firefighter, Thomas Casatelli enjoyed playing on the
FDNY soccer team and competed in over 50 triathlons; after sustaining
injuries on 9/11, he retired from the department in 2014; and
WHEREAS, After his retirement from the fire service, Thomas Casatelli
realized his lifelong dream of owning his own restaurant and opened his
first eatery on Third Avenue in Bay Ridge in 2004; today, he owns and
operates four restaurants with his family: The Kettle Black and the Lock
Yard in Bay Ridge, Ho'Brah Tacos in Brooklyn, and Ho'Brah in Staten
Island; and
WHEREAS, A hospitality veteran of over 25 years, Thomas Casatelli was
the recipient of the 2006 Brooklyn and Queens' Restaurant Owner of the
Year Award in 2006; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Casatelli has been called upon to contribute his time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, A faithful member of St. Patrick Church, Thomas Casatelli
leads the Annual St. Pat's Taste of the Ridge culinary showcase and has
organized several music events benefitting the New York City Firefight-

er's Burn Center at Cornell Medical Center and the Hurricane Sandy
relief effort; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Thomas Casatelli has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Jennifer, and his two
children, Abigail and Tristan, all of whom feel privileged to be a part
of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Thomas Casatelli has displayed
throughout his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Thomas Casatelli upon the occasion of his designation as recipi-
ent of the Victor V. Allegretti Memorial Man of the Year Award; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Thomas Casatelli.