Monday, January 13, 2025
The late Town of Hempstead Councilman Chris Carini was known for giving back to his community, and dozens of people gathered on the front lawn of Seaford High School last Sunday for a candlelight vigil to honor his memory.
The Seaford Chamber of Commerce, along with the school district PTAs and Booster Club, hosted the event, at which friends, family members, community members and local officials paid their respects, remembering Carini as a dedicated public servant and a proud father.
Chamber President Margaret Grub said the vigil showcased how much Carini was loved in the community.
“It’s so heartwarming,” Grub said of the turnout, “and it’s overwhelming to see all the love that’s coming out for him.”
Carini, a Seaford resident and a Republican, was first elected to the Town Board after Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney dropped out of the race six weeks before the 2019 election. He served the 5th Councilmanic District, representing Seaford, Wantagh, Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport, Lido Beach and Point Lookout, until he died unexpectedly in July, at age 49, while visiting family in Florida.
Before Carini joined the Town Board, he was a decorated veteran of law enforcement, serving for 22 years as an officer in the New York City, Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police departments.
At the vigil, State Sen. Steve Rhoads described Carini as a tremendous person with a unique soul. Rhoads added that Carini was a passionate and dedicated member of the Seaford community.
“He lived and breathed everything that was Seaford,” Rhoads said, “and he was all about trying to make the community better for his family, and for treating each of us as though we were his family.”
Prior to becoming a councilman, Carini was the Seaford vice president of the Wantagh/Seaford Homeowners Association, which often focused on quality-of-life issues. He took those concerns with him on the board, establishing the town’s Quality of Life Task Force last year. Since then, crews have traveled around Hempstead, removing graffiti as well as illegal signage from utility poles and fences, and collecting errant trash and debris.
Councilman Chris Schneider said there was one word that kept coming back to him when he though of Carini: Friend.
“He was a great guy, and I know everybody has their own personal memories and stories of him,” Schneider said. “I think about him every day.”
Following Carini’s death, Schneider was appointed councilman in August, and won a full term in this month’s election. After his appointment, Schneider told the Herald that the experience was bittersweet, because Carini had been a close friend for years. The responsibility as councilman is special to him, Schneider added, because it means that he will be able to carry on Carini’s legacy.
Town Clerk Kate Murray had worked with Carini for four years, and attended several community events with him. He was passionate about policing and criminal justice issues, she said, and wasn’t afraid to express his opinions.
“He didn’t mind if he broke a few eggs, and perhaps lost a fan or two along the way,” Murray said, “because he knew what he knew, and he believed what he believed, and got many more fans for that, honestly.”
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder spoke of Carini’s career in law enforcement, noting that he responded to the Sept. 11 attacks, and was willing to sacrifice everything for others, including strangers.
“Everything he did in his life was about giving back,” Ryder said.
Heather Umhafer, a friend of Carini’s and a Seaford Board of Education trustee, described him as “a wonderful husband” and proud father. He and his wife, Danielle, had two children, Ava and Joey.
“Chris was such an important part of our community,” Umhafer said, “not just as a Seaford dad, but as a public servant who was honored to work for the communities he represented as councilman.”
Ava Carini, 17, said she was thankful that her dad had known so many people in the community. Seeing the crowd honor his memory, she said, made her realize that her family wasn’t alone in dealing with his loss.
“It’s nice to see how many people my dad has impacted in their lives,” Ava said.
