Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

December 19, 1924 - November 5, 2014

Scanlon, James E.

Age 89, on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, of Baldwin Borough, he was the retired Allegheny County Director of Elections Department.

A lifelong Pittsburgher, Mr. Scanlon was born and raised in the Lawrenceville section of the city. He was graduated from Central Catholic High School and the University of Pittsburgh. One of a twin, he was the brother of the late State Senator Eugene Scanlon. They were two of the five sons of the late William and Marie Scanlon, all five of whom served in the military during World War II. Through a letter to then President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Marie Scanlon asked that as a mother of five sons in the service, would it be possible to keep the twins together? President Roosevelt issued such a directive about twins and the Scanlon twins served together and were discharged as 1st Lieutenants in the South Pacific. During the Korean War, the twins were recalled and Lt. James Scanlon was wounded in combat in Korea. He received the Purple Heart among other citations. After World War II, he pursued his interest in the theater as both a technician and actor. He worked at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, the South Shore Players in Cohasset, Mass., and with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. In later years he served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Civic Light Opera and also served as a member of the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts. Mr. Scanlon worked in the private business sector with Federated Investors, Standard Register, and the Rockwell Corp. He then joined the staff of Allegheny County where he worked for over 20 years, culminating as Director of Elections. His late wife, Alice Chickoon, was a Registered Nurse who worked in various area hospitals, and for 20 years with the County Health Department. A man of great organizational and administrative skills, he lent his support to family and friends who needed assistance. He was so helpful, one of his friends referred to him as "St. James." He is survived by his two children, Patty (Jeff) Osborne of Mt. Lebanon, and Jim (the late Donna) Scanlon of Ross Township. He also leaves five grandchildren, Nick, Ben, Jessica, Josh and Nate. Also surviving is a sister, Betty Lou Tarantino of Pittsburgh. Preceding him in death were his wife, Alice Chickoon, brothers William, Jack, Eugene and Bob, sister Patricia Boyle, and parents William and Marie Scanlon. Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227, Thursday and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Prayer on Saturday morning at 9:15 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in Nativity Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.