By Hank Russell
Christopher Carini, a Hempstead Town Councilman, passed away on July 15. He was 49.
According to various news reports, Carini (R-Seaford) was in Florida with his family at the time of his death. A cause of death has not been announced as of press time.
His online biography noted that Carini was elected to represent the 5th District of the Town of Hempstead in November 2019, and re-elected to the same position in November 2023. The Fifth Councilmanic District covers Lido Beach and Point Lookout and parts of Bellmore, Freeport, Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh.
“It is with an immense and deep sadness that today I share news of the tragic passing of our friend, Hempstead Town Councilman Chris Carini,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said in a statement. “Councilman Carini was a dedicated public servant whose commitment to the communities he represented was unwavering. Before his time as an elected official, Chris was a decorated and proud veteran of law enforcement.”
Carini was a retired police officer. He served twenty-two years as a Police Officer in the New York City Police Department, MTA Police Department and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department. He was also an Executive Board member of the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association Inc., representing 1,800 police officers, becoming an expert on labor relations, contract negotiations and the ability to represent the workforce. As a member of the PBA’s legislative committee, he often went to Albany to advocate for its membership which gave him invaluable insight on the legislative process.
As an active member in his community, Carini served as Vice President of the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners’ Association (WSHA) and Director of the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners’ Neighborhood Watch Committee. In 2012, he was part of the WSHA’s Superstorm Sandy forum that provided hundreds of residents the opportunity to meet with agencies, including the federal government, state, county, and town as well as support agencies that could assist them as they struggled in the aftermath of the storm.
During his time with the Hempstead Town Council, Carini worked with Clavin to keep taxes under control. As a result, the town was awarded with two bond upgrades, elevating the town’s bond rating to Aaa – the highest bond rating possible. All while cutting costs, Carini delivered a multitude of park improvements to town parks in his district, including new turf fields at Newbridge Road Park and Seaman’s Neck Park.
To battle eyesores in our community, Carini created and spearheaded the Town’s Quality of Life Task Force to respond to the outbreak of illegal signage and graffiti. This task force proactively removes illegal advertising signage while also completing special projects such as sweeping, cleaning, repairing, repainting, trimming overgrowth and improving areas throughout the Town of Hempstead.
“We are very very upset about [learning of Carini’s passing],” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said, calling him “a friend and colleague.” “He was a young man who served with distinction with the Port Authority Police Department … Our hearts go out to his family.”
“The Town of Hempstead has suffered a tremendous loss with the untimely and sudden passing of Councilman Chris Carini,” Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé (D-Freeport) said. “Through more than two decades of dedicated service as a law enforcement professional and his advocacy as a Town Council member, Chris distinguished himself as a passionate and tireless community leader. Most importantly, he was a dedicated and loving father to his children Joey and Ava with his wife Danielle. Please continue to hold the Carini family and their loved ones close to your hearts in prayer as they grieve an unthinkable loss.”
“When I met Chris on the campaign trail last summer and began working with him to serve our mutual constituents, we bonded over a shared passion for travel youth baseball. Whenever we had an opportunity, we discussed our boys and their potential – and I will always cherish those conversations and memories,” said Nassau County Legislator Seth I. Koslow(D-Merrick). “We are all devastated to learn of his sudden passing, and 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.”
Clavin also remembered Carini as a family man. “He was a proud and dedicated father to his two children and a loving husband to his wife. The Town of Hempstead and its residents have suffered a great loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time.”
Carini is survived by his wife, Danielle, and his two children, Joey and Ava.