1882 – 1930 (January 9)
George Joseph Scannell was born in Philadelphia, PA on September 19, 1882, one of four sons and four daughters of David Scannell and Mary Tole. He entered the novitiate at Villanova on July 4, 1907, and professed vows on July 6, 1908. On September 30th, he left for Italy with 11 other friars to continue studies. He made his solemn profession at Santa Monica, Rome, with 8 others, in the hands of the Prior General, Thomas Rodriguez. He was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on July 25, 1913, in the chapel of the Vincentians at Monte Citino, by Archbishop Giuseppe Ceppetelli. Two days later he celebrated his first Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano.
Father Scannell returned to the United States in January, 1914 due to the death of his father, and continued his studies at Villanova until June of the year. He then served at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, the Bronx, New York, and at Saint Rita Parish, Philadelphia.
He died in Saint Agnes’ Hospital, Philadelphia on January 9, 1930 at the age of 47, and is buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.
