HARRY J. SCANLAN
The Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village of Saltaireare deeply grieved and saddened by the sudden passing of Harry Scanlan, Jr., lifelong resident of the village. Harry died at his Saltaire home on Saturday, June 22, 2024, age72.
Harry was born November 5, 1951, the eldest child of Harry and Mary Jane Scanlan. Harry Sr. himself spentmost of his life on Fire Island, coming to Saltaire in 1948after growing up in Ocean Beach. Like all the Scanlans, Harry had a love of Fire Island, and Saltaire in particular, instilled in him from birth. He grew up and spent every summer of his life in Saltaire, where he felt most at homeand where his closest friendships were forged. In his early 20s, Harry worked as a Village Security officer and in 1972 had a stint as Saltaire’s first, and apparently last, dock master, a unique experience which Harry said in later yearswas best forgotten. Harry subsequently pursued a career as an executive at a not-for-profit real estate firm, as always finding his greatest satisfaction helping others. Although he lived in different places and eventually retired to Florida, Harry never left Saltaire and was a fixture here throughout his life. It’s fitting that Harry’s last days were spent immersed in the warmth and familiarity of his favorite place.
True to his Saltaire roots, Harry married the great love of his life, local girl Patsy O’Hare, in 1987, and the two spent the happiest years of their lives together until Patsy’s own sudden passing in 2009. Patsy and Harry complemented each other perfectly. No two people were ever closer, and none brought their friends more laughter, good times, sharpwit, occasional tears, and sheer joy than they. Patsy’s passing left Harry with an emptiness that could never be made entirely whole, but just as Patsy would have wished and expected, her loss never affected Harry’s innate good cheer, love of life and devotion to his family and friends.
Harry’s kindness and loyalty endeared him to his many friends, for whom the shock of his loss is tempered by memories of a sweet and caring man. In addition to Patsy, Harry was predeceased by his parents and by his brother Matt. He is survived by his sister Mary, brothers Joe and Tim, his stepdaughter Sarah, and by the extended Scanlanfamily. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
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