Thomas J. Backel

Thomas J. Backel of Baiting Hollow died July 20 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. He was 60 years old.

He was born Feb. 23, 1952, to Stanley and Helen Backel in Mineola, where he was the owner/operator of Long Island Motor Service. Family members said he enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and hunting.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (née McGuinness); his parents; his children, Steven, Edward and Angela; his brothers, Michael, Robert and Richard; and his sisters, Marion Cisterino and Susan Migliaccio.

Visiting hours took place July 23 and continue Tuesday, July 24, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead, including a service at 7:30 p.m., Father Robert Kuznik officiating. Cremation will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 132 West 32nd St., New York, NY 10001, cancer.org.