Joseph H. Scanlon

Joseph H. Scanlon, 84, passed away peacefully at Baystate Medical Center on October 15, 2014, with his wife and 4 children by his side. Born on June 21, 1930, son of the late Joseph and Ellen (McGillvray) Scanlon of Quincy, MA, he was a long time resident of East Longmeadow, MA. A US Air Force veteran, Joe served his country from 1948-1952 as a Staff Sergeant (Technical) Aircraft Mechanic with the Headquarters Squadron of the 564th Air Base Group based at Otis AFB, Falmouth, MA. Joe was deployed in Hawaii for several years and served as a Flight Engineer in various aircraft in the Korea and Japan theatres. Joe was then employed at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for the next 38 years as an experimental test engineer. Joe was a dedicated communicant of St. Michael�s Church and served as parish council member, Eucharistic Minister serving home bound parishioners for many years, and as catechist for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Joe was an invaluable supporter and contributor to civic betterment. These volunteering efforts included years as Umpire-in-Chief for all the baseball and softball leagues in town and throughout the Scantic Valley. He was a founding member of the East Longmeadow Recreation Association. He was a member of the group who established and led the town�s 4th of July festivities, where he was honored as Grand Marshal in 1999. He received the �Distinguished Citizen Award� from the EL Chamber of Commerce in 1977 and the EL Lions Club in 1985. He was active in Democratic town politics for well over 40 years. Most recently, Joe volunteered as a driver for Meals-on-Wheels and Rachel�s Table. He also volunteered at the Cardiac Care Unit at Baystate Medical Center. He enjoyed many years of retirement at his beach house at Cape Cod and winter months in Naples, FL. An avid fan of all Boston sports teams, Joe enjoyed many years of attending collegiate football games at Boston College. Joe is survived by his loving wife Rita (Lynch); his children Mary-Anne Stearns and her husband John of East Longmeadow; Susan Sheridan and husband David of Quincy, MA; Michael Scanlon and his wife Melinda of Mahopac, NY; and Barry Scanlon and his wife Lisa of Alexandria, VA; his grandchildren, Daniel and Carolyn Stearns; Matthew and Katie Sheridan; Tommy, Natalie and Liam Scanlon; and Quincy, Riley, and Harper Scanlon; his great grandchild Lea Marie Stearns; his sister Eleanor Scanlon Hayden of Lynn, MA. He was predeceased by his sisters Louise Dias of Half Moon Bay, CA, Joan Scanlon of Quincy, MA, and Barbara Kane of Stockton, CA. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at 9:30 AM in St. Michael�s Church, 128 Maple Street East Longmeadow followed by burial in the Massachusetts Veterans� Memorial Cemetery 1390 Main Street, Agawam. Calling hours are Sunday from 3 � 6 PM at the Wilbraham Funeral Home 2551 Boston Road Wilbraham, MA. Memorial contributions may be made to Rachel�s Table at www.rachelstablesspringfield.org , St Michael�s Church Building Fund, 128 Maple St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028 or a charity of your choice.