Town Councilman Christopher Carini dies unexpectedly

Town Councilman Chris Carini, a familiar face to many in the Town of Hempstead and the 5th Councilmanic District, died unexpectedly on July 14, while visiting family in Florida. He was 49.

The Republican, from Seaford, was first elected to the Town Board after former Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney dropped out of the race six weeks before the 2019 election. Carini had long been involved with the Wantagh/Seaford Homeowners Association, which often focused on quality-of-life issues.

“There’s no words to express how heartbroken we are in this loss,” Ella Stevens, president of the homeowners association, said. “He took his watch over Wantagh and Seaford and spread it to other communities.”

Those concerns followed Carini into office. He spearheaded the town’s Quality of Life Task Force in 2023, which evolved from a graffiti task force that Carini also created. Every day, crews travel around Hempstead to remove graffiti, collect trash and debris and take down illegal signage from utility poles and fences, thanks to Carini’s efforts.

“Councilman Carini was a dedicated public servant,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said in an emailed statement, “whose commitment to the communities he represented was unwavering.”

“Today is a profoundly sad day for all of us whose lives were touched by Councilman Chris Carini,” State Sen. Steve Rhoads emailed in a statement. “As an elected official and as a friend, I don’t know that I’ve ever met someone who was more passionate or took more enjoyment out of helping his neighbors and trying to make his community better than Chris.”

Rhoads added that Carini’s energy was “boundless” and his humor “infectious.” “I will miss his friendship, his leadership, and we will all miss his good common sense,” Rhoads said.

Before Carini joined the Town Board, he was a decorated veteran of law enforcement, serving for 22 years as a police officer in the New York City, Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police departments.

Councilwoman Missy Miller described Carini as “the epitome of the phrase ‘larger than life.’” “With a cup of coffee in hand, he was energized — always,” Miller wrote on Facebook. “He was the best kind of public servant, selfless.”

Carini was well known in the communities he represented, and seen frequently at civic association and Chamber of Commerce meetings. He was extremely proud of the town’s finances, which helped fund renovations of a number of recreational facilities in his district, including Seamans Neck Park in Seaford and Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore.

Among the many hats Carini wore, being a family man was perhaps his greatest joy. He and his wife, Danielle, had two children, Ava and Joey.

“Chris was a loving husband, adoring father, and a dedicated public servant,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in an emailed statement. “He had an outstanding career with the Port Authority Police Department protecting our region. I was honored to serve with him on the Hempstead town board.”

U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who also served with Carini on the board, said he was “one of the finest dads” D’Esposito had ever seen. On Facebook, D'Esposito called Carini “a tireless advocate for his Town of Hempstead neighbors” and an “unwavering supporter of law enforcement.”

“This one hurts deeply,” D’Esposito wrote. “I will miss you, my friend.”

“Chris was an amazing person who worked so hard in all aspects of his life to make this world a better place,” John Theissen, founder and executive director of the John Theissen Children’s Foundation in Wantagh, said. “My prayers are with his wife and children. This is just so sad, and a tremendous loss to this community.”

Tom Condon, chairman of the Seaford 9/11 Memorial Committee, said that Carini was a tremendous supporter, and embodied the committee’s themes of service, character and commitment.

“He certainly represented those qualities,” Condon said, “and it’s certainly going to be a great loss for not only Seaford, but for his family and the Town of Hempstead.”

In a roundtable interview with Herald reporters last fall, Carini prided himself on his ability to talk to people and listen to their concerns.

In his tenure, he got to know the many school districts in his jurisdiction well. “On behalf of myself, the board of education, and the entire district, I extend my deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Councilman Christopher Carini,” Seaford Superintendent Adele Pecora wrote in an email to the Herald.

The Merrick Community Civic Association expressed deep sadness over the news of his passing.

“We met Councilman Chris Carini when he first ran for office,” the board of the civic association wrote in an email to the Herald. “He quickly became a great friend to the Merrick Community Civic Association and our community. He came to many of our meetings, provided valuable guidance on issues and was extremely responsive to our organization. When needed, he was there."

County Legislator Seth Koslow also expressed his condolences. “We are all devastated to learn of his sudden passing,” Koslow said in an emailed statement. “I extend my prayers and condolences to his wife Danielle, his children Joey and Ava, and all of his friends, colleagues and loved ones as they mourn this terrible tragedy.”

"I am deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Councilman Chris Carini," Freeport's Mayor Robert Kennedy said. "He was not only an outstanding public servant, but also a kind and good-hearted person."

As of press time, it was not known how Carini died, and details on his funeral service were not yet available. Flags were to be flown at half-staff in his honor, according to the town.

This story will be updated.