Joseph Scannell, former prosecutor, lawmaker and 'unwavering champion' for Baldwin, dies at 59

Former Nassau County Legis. Joseph Scannell, a family man who deeply loved serving his South Shore constituents and his hometown community of Baldwin, died Friday, his family and colleagues said.

He was 59 and the cause of death was complications from Huntington's disease, his brother James Scannell said.

Joseph Scannell, a Democrat, represented Baldwin along with parts of Freeport and Rockville Centre and supported public safety and anti-graffiti efforts as well as police and first responder causes, his brother said. He was first elected to the Legislature in 1999, and served several terms before not seeking reelection in 2013. He was succeeded by Laura Curran, who went on to serve as Nassau County executive from 2018 until 2022.

“It's very fair to say that my brother Joseph was really dedicated to public service his entire life,” James Scannell said. “He was well known for a lot of things, but in particular, he was well known for the attention he gave to his constituents.”

Joseph Scannell was born May 17, 1962, in Manhattan, the third of four children and the youngest boy, his brother said. He was community-minded at a young age, serving as an altar boy, excelling on the Baldwin High School track team and earning the rank of Eagle Scout, his brother said.

Scannell went to earn his undergraduate degree at what was then C.W. Post College and a law degree from St. John’s University. He began his career as an assistant district attorney in Nassau County in 1989 before running for the Legislature.

He was married to Merrill Scannell for over 30 years and was the father of Brittney, 26, who is earning an advanced degree in marine biology at Stony Brook University, and Brian, 21, an undergraduate student at Vassar College.

“He was a dedicated public servant and an advocate who was committed to his district and the county,” said Jay Jacobs, chair of the Nassau and state Democratic Party committees. “He was a major contributor to many of the successes that we were able to accomplish during the 2000s.”

Nassau Legislature Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) also said Scannell will be missed.

“During a lifetime devoted to service, Joe Scannell distinguished himself as an Eagle Scout, a skilled prosecutor, a passionate advocate for preserving historic treasures like Nunley's Carousel, and an unwavering champion for his beloved community of Baldwin,” Abrahams said in a statement. “We are all deeply saddened by the passing of our longtime colleague and friend and will keep his family and loved ones in our prayers during this difficult time.”

Scannell suffered for years from Huntington’s, a genetic disease that causes the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. His love of his family remained, and his face would light up at the mention of his children’s names, according to his brother.

“He was really so vibrant and full of life,” James Scannell said. “Unfortunately, the path of Huntington's can really rob you of so much.”

In addition to his wife, children and brother, all of Baldwin, Scannell is survived by another brother, John of Baldwin, and a sister, Jennifer of Rochester.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday at the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church in Roosevelt.

By Vera Chinese

vera.chinese@newsday.com@VeraChinese

Vera Chinese joined Newsday in 2017 after working as an editor for the East End lifestyle publication northforker and a general assignment reporter for the New York Daily News.