Joseph Florence Scannell

September 8, 1923 - February 20, 2021

Joseph F. Scannell died peacefully at his home on February 20, 2021, at the age of 97. A native San Franciscan, Joe was born on September 8, 1923 to Priscilla and Florence Scannell. He attended Star of the Sea and St. Monica Grammar Schools and Sacred Heart High School. Joe enlisted in the Navy at the outbreak of WWII, and served most of the war as a radioman on the USS Greenling submarine.

While still on active duty though the war had ended, he returned to San Francisco where he married Barbara Thurling, his friend since sixth grade, on April 1, 1945.

After his release from military service, he followed in his father’s footsteps and began a career with the San Francisco Fire Department in 1947 and was a long-time member of the Rescue Squad before advancing up the ranks, ultimately retiring as Assistant Chief in 1978. With long hours and hard work Joe and Barbara built a loving family of five children. In 1963 they moved to Marin County, where they pursued their love of gardening, tennis and travel. Lake Tahoe held a cherished place in Joe and Barbara’s life, from camping vacations when the children were young, to a family cabin, purchased in the early 1990’s, that became a family treasure to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. An avid woodworker and do-it-yourselfer, Joe was always working on a project, a love he passed on to his children.

Joe and Barbara enjoyed 57 years together until Barbara’s death in 2002. He is survived by his children, Joe (Margee), Dan, Peter (Janie), Lynne (Matt) and Bill (Yvette), and was ‘Papa Joe’ to 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Due to Covid-19, a memorial service will be held at a later date.