Christopher Carini, Hempstead Town councilman, dies at 49

Hempstead Town Councilman Christopher Carini died unexpectedly Sunday while visiting family members in Florida, town officials said.

Carini, 49, of Seaford, was married and the father of two children. A former police officer with multiple agencies, Carini was serving his second term on the town board after being first elected in 2019.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald X. Clavin Jr. confirmed Carini’s death. The cause has not been determined.

"Councilman Carini was a dedicated public servant whose commitment to the communities he represented was unwavering," Clavin said in a statement Monday. "The Town of Hempstead and its residents have suffered a great loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time."

Nassau County Republican Party chairman Joseph Cairo said Carini was vacationing in Florida when family approached him outside as it began to rain and found him unconscious in a lounge chair.

Clavin described Carini as a dedicated public servant who cared about community parks and safety but was also a devoted father who never missed his son’s baseball games or a chance to brag about his daughter making the National Honor Society.

"He wasn’t shy. He would speak up and wanted to make sure people enjoyed every aspect of the town," Clavin told Newsday on Monday. "Government will move on, but it’s going to be a little less bright without Chris here."

Officials have not yet made any plans to fill his council seat, which represents the South Shore communities of Lido Beach and Point Lookout as well as parts of Bellmore, Freeport, Merrick, Seaford, and Wantagh. The seat can either be filled through a town appointment or an election.

Carini served for 22 years as a police officer with the Port Authority, the NYPD and Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He spent 17 years with the Port Authority, including posts at the Port Authority Bus Terminal and at Kennedy Airport. While assigned to Kennedy, Carini protected Air Force One, which he noted in an online post Sunday morning. He retired in October 2019, before taking office. 

Carini was first elected to the town board in 2019 following a six-week campaign to succeed former Councilwoman Erin King-Sweeney.

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) served for three years alongside Carini on the board.

In a statement Monday, D’Esposito described himself as "heartbroken."

"Chris was a tireless advocate for his neighbors, a fierce campaigner, an unwavering supporter of law enforcement, a loving friend, a dedicated husband and one of the finest dads I’ve ever seen," D’Esposito said. "This one hurts deeply, I will miss you my friend."

Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby said Carini was an ally in government and a close friend on the board. 

"He was my partner," she said. "I'm going to miss him dearly."

Carini is survived by his wife, Danielle, his 17-year-old daughter, Ava, and his 12-year-old son, Joey.

Information about funeral services was not available Monday.

With Laura Figueroa Hernandez 

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.