Scott R Kanaly

Scott Richard Kanaly, 71, of Dannemora, died at his home on January 6, 2026. He was born on October 25, 1954 and was the son of Robert and Colleen Kanaly. He married Patricia O’Connor on January 20, 1973.

Scott was employed by Clinton Correctional Facility where he worked as a civilian in the powerhouse and commissary, later becoming a Corrections Officer, until his retirement in 2004. Scott was an active part of the community, as head of Dannemora Youth Commission for many years and a coach. He was Dannemora School Board President before the district’s annexation with Saranac and a member of the Board at CVES. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Dannemora, and a member of the American Legion in Redford.
Scott loved his family, and especially took pride in his role as Papa Scott. You could find him at the hockey rink, soccer field, baseball field, or basketball gymnasium as his daughters grew up, then watching his grandchildren with the utmost pride. Scott’s passion was the slopes! He made it his full-time job when he retired and it was his ‘live or die’ winter activity. During the summer, you could find him at camp on Chazy Lake, out on the boat, in his garden or grilling up dinner.

Scott is survived by his daughters Shannon Townsend and her husband, Danny; Jill Demers and her husband Chris; his grandchildren, Karina, Gia (John), Maria, Anna, Katie, Ryan and Jack; his great granddaughter, Blakely Rose, bonus great granddaughters, Ella and Maddy; his brother Michael Kanaly and wife Diane, Karen Lopez and partner Michael St. Louis, Larry Kanaly and wife Tammy, and Mary Lou LaRocque; brother in-law, Dr. Michael O’Connor and wife Meredith, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, his parents; father and mother-in-law, Thomas and Marie O’Connor and his nephew, Eric LaRocque.

Services will be held on Monday, January 12 from 12:00-2:00 with a service to follow in the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Scott’s name to the Kanaly Scholarship Fund, Saranac Central School District Office, Attn: Andrea McDaniel PO Box 8 Saranac NY 12981. Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeny.com