Should you ever want to capture the words "dedication" and "commitment" within an image, the best representation would be a photograph of Paul Scannell. Paul became a FOSA member in the organization's earliest years, integrating himself as a dependable field volunteer, laboratory assistant and historical researcher. When we think back on our many projects (sometimes referred to by us older members as "adventures"), Paul put his inimitable fingerprint on every one of them. In particular, the Eugene Bradley plane crash and the rediscovery of the Newgate Prison cemetery, but so many, many others.

Sadly, Paul passed away peacefully on September 2, 2024, at the age of 88, in St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, surrounded by his loving family.

Paul Scannell retired from his position as Director of Managed Care for Catholic Family Services in 2000 at the age of 64, while still possessing the vitality and energy to devote himself to community endeavors and allow investigation into his passion for history. He was an active member and officer of the East Granby Historical Society, which was the steppingstone toward his involvement with FOSA. Paul had heard about our work and contacted me over his concerns regarding one of East Granby's most historic 18th-century buildings, the Bates Tavern, which had been purchased by John Oates of the singing duo of Hall & Oates with plans to dismantle the structure for reassembly at Oates' property in upstate New York. Paul was concerned that historical artifacts would be lost in the demolition process, including rumors of hidden gold coins. He asked if we would assist. How could we not? (Though we never found the gold coins!)

This was the beginning of our fruitful partnership. So much so that it remains hard to think of an OSA project that Paul wasn't intricately involved with or significantly contributed toward during our tenure. Not only in the field, laboratory and archives, but Paul was an essential sounding board for ideas, especially to me and former FOSA presidents, Roger Thompson and Cynthia Redman, to whom he offered sage advice on various issues confronting the organization. We could all count on Paul's support and encouragement. He never failed us.
Among his many contributions to our organization, Paul served for many years on the FOSA board and its various committees. He was noted for researching a question fully before casting a vote or offering opinion. He was very respected by all his colleagues and was pleasurable to work with in the field and lab. Paul had a "quiet" sense of humor and an infectiously soft laugh. His eyes twinkled at a new discovery, whether in the field or archive, and you could visualize the wheels turning in his brain to interpret what he had uncovered. Paul was always there for us: He was a favorite excavation partner, contributing to all aspects of field work. In the lab, he took on responsibilities of supervision for new FOSA members and UConn students. An avid reader, Paul also contributed to the organization and maintenance of the OSA Library.

While Paul worked tirelessly on all our projects, his heart remained devoted to East Granby's significant history. When our office was asked if archaeological methods might rediscover the location of the "lost" Newgate Prison cemetery, Paul eagerly vaulted to action. He interviewed local townspeople for their recollections, conducted land deed research with Roger Thompson and scoured town and state records for pertinent information. He loved Newgate Prison as one of Connecticut's premier historical sites and an East Granby treasure. It took us five years, but with Paul's dedication and the hard work of others, we did relocate and record the burying ground, about three quarters of a mile north of the existing prison ruins.

Another East Granby project came to us via the New England Air Museum and the CT Department of Transportation. Even though there were numerous military and local records of Lt. Eugene Bradley's 1941 airplane disaster, none of those extant sources contained information on the specific position of the crash site. Once again, could archival and archaeological methods assist in locating the spot? With his customary gusto, Paul once again threw himself into the task. He located and interviewed several people who were eyewitnesses at the air base or nearby tobacco fields on the morning of August 21, 1941, when the crash occurred. Paul chronicled their personal recollections and unexpectedly yielded previously unrecorded artifacts locals had taken from the plane crash scene, providing an important link in our ability to locate the site. Working in unison with Roger Thompson and others, the team provided extensive documentation by compiling numerous historical sources and informant interviews that became the basis of our field testing.

Born on January 12, 1936, Paul grew up in the city of Boston and would eventually graduate from Boston College. His passion for all things Boston, especially its sports teams, was evident in his conversation and even his clothing (it seemed like everything he wore consisted of the maroon and gold colors of the Boston College Eagles!) The stories of games he attended were often told with amusement during our field lunch breaks. I mean, the guy even worked at Fenway Park! When the Red Sox finally won the World Series in 2004, Paul was beyond ecstatic (and relieved!), and, of course, we had to hear every play-by-play for a year.

All his passions of history, archaeology and sports aside, Paul's true love was his wife Andrea, to whom he was devotedly married to for 55 years. They had four adored children and nine cherished grandchildren. If anything, Paul was a committed family man. He loved them all. They meant the world to him, and he often spoke of their accomplishments with abundant pride. Our sympathies are offered to his family.

We have all lost a loyal friend and colleague with the passing of Paul Scannell. He dedicated himself to many people and many causes: his loving family, his favored Boston sports teams, his adopted town of East Granby, and fortunately for us, Connecticut archaeology and history. He is a man who will be profoundly missed by all who were touched by him.

Nicholas F. Bellantoni
CT State Archaeologist Emeritus

(with thoughts and memories by Cynthia Redman and Roger Thompson)