Councilman Chris Carini to be waked this weekend; funeral on Monday

Town Councilman Chris Carini returned home on July 17.

The Seaford resident and representative for the 5th Councilmanic district in the Town of Hempstead, which includes the communities of Wantagh, Seaford, Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport, Lido Beach and Point Lookout, died unexpectedly last weekend, at 49, while visiting family in Florida. 

A retired Port Authority Police Department officer, Carini also served on the NYPD and MTA Police Department.

Officers from the Port Authority JFK Commissary, at John F. Kennedy airport in Queens, came togther on Wednesday to assure he was sent off with love and prayers. Carini served on the Port Authority PBA Executive Board as a delegate and trustee. 

"The Port Authority Police department is saddened by the sudden passing of Town of Hempstead Councilman Chris Carini," the commissary wrote on Instagram. 

Police officers stood on the tarmac as the plane carrying Carini's body pulled into the gate at the airport. His casket was removed from the plane, as officers stood in salute.  Several police officers transferred his body to hearse, which headed to Seaford. 

"The department extends its condolences to his wife and children and prays for their peace and comfort," the Instagram post further read. "Chris, rest in the Lord's eternal embrace." 

Carini was police escorted to the Charles G. Schmitt funeral home in Seaford, where he will be waked this weekend. The Seaford Fire Department set up an American Flag arch, which the hearse drove underneath, as firefighters lined the street and looked on, while standing in salute. 

Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. both days. The funeral home is at 2863 Merrick Road in Seaford. 

A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 22 at 9:30 a.m., at St. William the Abbot Roman Catholic Church in Seaford. The church is at 2000 Jackson Ave.

Carini will be laid to rest at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale. 

Project Thank A Cop, a group that supports police officers and their families, will be setting up a comfort station at Carini's funeral. Those wishing to volunteer are asked to message administrators of the group on its Facebook page, "Project Thank A Cop!" Donations can be sent via Venmo to @projectthankacop with "Chris" in the memo. Snacks, drinks, baked goods, and more can also be donated.

"We want to honor our beautiful friend in a special way," Project Thank A Cop wrote on Facebook. "We are so heartbroken." 

Those wishing to donate to Carini's family, which includes his wife Danielle and children Ava and Joey, can do so at GoFund.Me/25067cbb. His family is also asking that donations be made to the John Theissen Children's Foundation, based in Wantagh, in Carini's memory. Visit JTCF.org to donate.