Joseph P. Scannell

Shrewsbury - Joe Scannell never passed up the opportunity to see the beauty in nature. Following this passion led to a lifetime of expressing and experimenting in varied forms of art through pencil, acrylics and watercolor. And this wonderful gift was shared with family, friends and so many students. Joe was a respected art teacher at Dover-Sherborn Middle School for over thirty years. He loved his time in school encouraging students to find their passion, explore their creativity and follow a dream. Joe had a lasting impression on many students before enjoying retirement in 1999.

Family was always the center of his world and at an early age Joe demonstrated a genuine dedication and care for his family and parents as they grew older. And in later years as the debilitating effects of vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease took their toll on Joe, he would make certain to express his thanks to his family and care-givers for taking such wonderful care of him.

Joe died at home surrounded by his family on Monday, January 11, 2020. He was 85.

Joseph Paul Scannell was born October 1, 1935 in Worcester a son of the late Henry P. and Teresa (Danahy) Scannell. He was a graduate of Commerce High School, where he was a member of the 1954-55 Division 1 Western Massachusetts finalist basketball team. He then followed his passion for art at Rhode Island School of Design. He later transferred to Clark University where he received his Bachelor's degree and later his Master's degree in Education from Assumption University. Joe also honorably served in the United States Army in Germany with the XIII Corps Forward Support Battalion.

He married Eileen Mary Hoey in 1963 at Christ the King Church in Worcester and they made Shrewsbury their home since 1967.

He kept active physically by running and enjoyed countless hikes and wonderful trips with good friends and neighbors often returning with photographs that would inspire his landscape paintings. Joe, the humble and quiet pied piper of his family gently guided his four children throughout their lives and subsequently won the admiration of his grandchildren, but it was mutual. Even when officially retired he was still teaching in his own subtle ways. Proud of his family and Irish heritage, his family took a wonderful and memory filled trip to Ireland a couple of years ago.

Cape Cod will always remain a special place for the Scannell family. They maintained a home in Dennis since 1986 and had their chairs in the sand and toes in the water at Cold Storage Beach. The Cape provided even more an opportunity to never pass up the beauty of nature. St. Francis of Assisi said 'He who works with hands…and his head…and his heart…is an artist!' Joe Scannell was an artist.

Joe joins his wife Eileen (†January 4, 2009) and their granddaughter, Kate Lynn Laursen; his siblings, Marguerite Martel (late Robert), John H. and James M. Scannell; brother-in-laws Richard J. Hoey, Jr. and Joe McDonough, niece Tracy Scannell, and nephew Joe McDonough Jr.

He leaves his children, Tricia A. Scannell Laursen (Doug) of Shrewsbury, Deborah M. Scannell Nelson (David), all of Shrewsbury, Richard P. Scannell (Molly) of Arlington and Lynn E. Scannell Laursen (Bill) of Harvard; his eight grandchildren: Joseph, Daniel, Anna, Max, Emily, Ava, Clara and Hayden; his close friend Janet Milliken of Clinton; his sisters-in-law, Elizabeth McDonough of Shrewsbury, Carol Kelleher (Frank) of Atlanta, Georgia and Kathleen Hoey of West Springfield; nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor Joe's life by gathering for a calling hour on Friday, January 15th from 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. in Saint Anne's Church, 130 Boston Turnpike Shrewsbury followed by his funeral Mass celebrated at 12 Noon. Burial with military honors will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.

Those of you unable to attend may use this link on Monday at 12 Noon to participate in Joe's services: https://my.gather.app/remember/joseph-scannell

Memorials in his name may be made to DetecTogether, 53 Otis Street, Westborough, MA 01581 or https://www.detectogether.org/donate/

Arrangements by James & John Heald.
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Tuesday, December 22, 2020 – a note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love, support and a verbal hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit to the venue where they are held should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance. Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.