Michael Scanlon

Michael Scanlon, age 61 of Lynnfield, died tragically and suddenly on Tuesday, April 18 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

He was born in Torrington, CT on November 4, 1961, and was the son of the late John and Laura Jean (Miles) Scanlon, who molded him into the wonderful man he became.

Mike (“Scan” to many who loved him) exited this world way too early, leaving behind his wife Lenore (McNamara) Scanlon, and his three children, Patrick, Katie, and Taylor, all of whom he adored.  He was the brother of John Scanlon and his partner Christine Rindos of Palm Beach, FL, Kathy Rittenhouse and her husband Dirk of Saratoga Springs, NY, Susan Scanlon and her husband George Sotiropoulos of Worcester, and Nancy Scanlon and her husband Ken Dupee of Berkeley, CA. He is also survived by 13 cherished nieces and nephews and his faithful dog, Stella.

Mike grew up in Litchfield, CT, graduating from Litchfield High School, Class of 1980.  He then earned a B.A. in Business Administration & Accounting from St. Michael’s College in Vermont, where he met many of his best, lifelong friends and was a member of the varsity soccer team for four years, and team captain as a senior.  He went on to a successful career in the financial industry, including 16 years as a National Accounts Manager at Putnam Investments, earning an MBA at Babson College along the way.

Always active and involved in athletics, Mike loved to ski, play golf (equal parts passion and nemesis for him), and work out at his strenuous HIIT classes with his pals at Spark Fitness. He proudly held (and does to this day) the family record in the Litchfield Hills Road Race, a fact he was not shy about sharing. 

It’s no coincidence that these very social activities enabled him to spend time laughing, telling his many stories and jokes, and sharing his vast knowledge of U.S. history with his wide circle of friends and family (and sometimes waitresses).  Mike was never at a loss for words, and always knew the right, most compassionate thing to say, to loved ones and strangers alike.

Mike loved his family beyond words, especially his three beautiful children of whom he was so very proud. For them, he served as an unwavering moral compass, a caretaker in every sense, and life of the party with them and their many friends, who also loved him so. He taught them to ski and play soccer, played golf with them (they learned that elsewhere), enthusiastically rooted on the Boston Celtics and U.S. Men’s Soccer team, and had lively debates about…well, everything. Lenore taught them how to spell.

Above all, his favorite thing to do was absolutely anything with the love of his life, Lenore. Wherever he went and whatever he did, he was happiest with her by his side. They were best friends, soul mates, and companions in everything. He loved to travel to places far and wide and, together, they had checked off many but not all of the destinations on his bucket list. She and the kids plan to take him to some of those spots in the coming years.

For his nieces and nephews, reflecting his deep love for his four siblings, Mike was also always there. He never forgot a birthday, maintained regular text chats, shared inside jokes, and established personal rituals—early-morning walks on the beach with one, fake sports bets with another, enjoying great German pilsners with a third. And so much more. 

Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Friday April 28, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 29 at St. Maria Goretti Parish, 112 Chestnut St., Lynnfield at 12 p.m., followed by a reception at the Four Points Sheraton, Wakefield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Scanlon Family Scholarship Fund, at LHSSA, P.O. Box 652, Litchfield, CT, 06759. This fund supports an annual scholarship to a Litchfield High School senior to further his/her education.