Joseph E. Scanlon

1930 - 2024

Joseph E. Scanlon, 94, passed peacefully at home in Venice, Florida, on

Dec. 25, 2024, in the company of family members.

He was born on Sept. 17, 1930 in Haverhill, Mass., the second child of Joseph G. Scanlon

and Mary Catherine Hanley. He attended St. James High School, where he was a proud member of the 1946 state championship football team, and where he met his future wife, Claire A. Richard, who lived "across the river."

After high school, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and he and Claire were married in Haverhill in 1953. He was assigned to a naval station in New Orleans, where their first child, Dan, was born. After his service the family returned to Haverhill, where the next four children were born.

Joe secured a civil service position at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, from which he retired at age 55, having also worked at the Boston Navy Yard (where he got to work on the USS Constitution) and other navy yards on the

East Coast. He retired as a foreman shipwright in shop 64.

Following his shipyard retirement he started a business selling truck caps, and eventually left that for true retirement. He and his wife spent many years traveling around the country in an RV, and those travels led them to

Venice, Florida, which they made their permanent home close to 30 years ago.

They made many new friends and enjoyed all that Florida life allows.

Joe enjoyed watching all of the Boston pro sports teams and got quite proficient with technology, enjoying time on his iPad right up to the end. But he especially enjoyed the companionship and love of his wife of over 71

years, Claire, and was proud of his five children, 10 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren, with at least one more on the way.

He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Mary Witty and James Scanlon. In addition to his beloved wife, Claire, and his sister, Margaret Lynch, of Lynnfield, Mass., he is survived by his children, Daniel J. Scanlon

(Claire) of Auburn, N.H., Thomas J. Scanlon (Karen) of Exeter, N.H., Kathleen A. Scanlon (Don) of Venice, Maureen C., Van Gennep (Garet) of Fremont, N.H., and Erin Kate Moschetto (Marc) of Holly Springs, North Carolina, his grandchildren, Patrick D. Scanlon (Stacey), Maggie Rowan (Chris), Jason Scanlon (Angela), Craig Scanlon (Brittany), Heidi Van Gennep (Tim Heiges), Conor Van Gennep (Lindsey), Spencer Van Gennep (Marissa), Jacob Moschetto,

Grace Moschetto, and Samuel Moschetto.

In addition to his great-grandchildren, he is also survived by nieces and nephews, as well as step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Jan. 3, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Toale Brother Funeral Home, 140 E. Venice Ave., Venice, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Tidewell Hospice, which provided kind end of life services and support.