Biography

04/03/1924 - 09/13/1970

Joseph James Scanlon (D4) Philadelphia (Part) County, 1969-1970

Early Life:

Joseph James Scanlon born, April 3, 1924, city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, County, Pennsylvania; son of Joseph Aloysius and Marie F Fallon Scanlon; Northeast Catholic High School Temple University; employed, state auditor general office, two years; deputy trial commissioner, criminal trial commissioner, clerk, Quarter Session Court, City Hall, Philadelphia, combined twelve year; bar owner, Scanlon’s Café, Philadelphia; 33rd Ward Leader, Kensington, Philadelphia, 1964-1970; alternate delegate, Democratic National Convention, 1964; chairman, Philadelphia County Executive Committee, 1969-1970; Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate 4th district, 1969-1970; married, Agnes Ruddick, children, Marie, Paulette, Patricia, Robert, Joseph; died, September 13, 1970 (age 46 years, 163 days), in office, diabetic coma, intensive care unit, Temple Hospital, city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. However, there is no record of burial there. Therefore, burial location unknown.   

 Pennsylvania Politics:

33rd Ward Leader, Kensington, Philadelphia, 1964-1970.

Alternate delegate, Democratic National Convention, 1964.

Chairman, Philadelphia County Executive Committee, 1969-1970.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate 4th district, Philadelphia (Part) County, 1969-1970; Joseph F. Smith, elected fill vacancy, reelected, 1971-1980.

Legacy:

Father, Joseph A. Scanlon, member, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Philadelphia County, 1935-1952.

Ordered drinks on the house, day of interment, Scanlon’s Café, Philadelphia; Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board was kind enough to inform them that is an illegal violation, sister picked up the tab.

Two weeks later, October 3rd, daughter Marie was married, planning for everything, asked longtime friend, personal physician, Doctor Louis P. Gefter to do the honors and escort his daughter down the aisle.   

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members S". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Monday, September 14, 1970, page 31.