Early this morning, my Dad, John Scanlon, lost his fight with several illnesses. He fought valiantly and made us so proud until the end.
My Dad was born in New York in September 1945 to John Patrick Scanlon and Eileen Leonard. He was one of three sons. He was of Irish heritage and nothing made him prouder.
Growing up in the 1950s my Dad fell in love with doo-wop music. This music would be the soundtrack of his life. Thanks to his ability to sing, my Dad fronted his own neighborhood doo-wop group. I remember the time my Dad was asked to sing back up for a well-known group for an on-air radio performance, when he came home he was so proud and had bought a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
Dad married my Mom, JoAnn, in October 1971. Their families had been friends for a long time and they grew up knowing each other. They would have been married for 46 years.
My Mom took such amazing care of him up until the end and my Dad knew how lucky he was to have her.
Throughout his life, my Dad took an interest in the ongoing issues in Northern Ireland. He joined the Ancient Order of Hibernians and became a very vocal advocate for ensuring that basic human rights were given in that area. He was published many times over in bringing this issue to the forefront of the minds of those here in the United States.
Dad had a long career in the United States Postal Service until an injury sidelined him while on the job. Despite allowing for the proper healing, my Dad was never able to walk the same. He retired on a disability pension shortly after 2001.
My Dad loved his grandchildren and nothing made him happier than when they were all together in front of him, especially on birthdays and holidays.
My Dad is survived by his wife, JoAnn, four children, Margaret, Mary, Teresa, and Brian. He is also survived by his son-in-law, John Gorant, and his four grandchildren, Brianna, Christopher, Maxwell, and David.
My Dad meant the world to me. I watched him go from a viral active man to a frail man in a bed in a matter of months but I will always remember him as the father who raced me down the sidewalk in Queens to see which of us could run faster (he won), the man who introduced to me Irish step dancing, and the one man who loved me without question despite my flaws and the many mistakes I made over my lifetime.
Dad, I love and miss you so much. I wish we could have had forever.