Peter A. Scagnelli

Peter A. Scagnelli, 80 of Staten Island, New York died on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Staten Island University Hospital North in Staten Island, New York. Peter was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Peter and Martha Scagnelli. He graduated from New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn, Class of 1963. A lifelong New Yorker, Peter built a career through self-employment at the U.S. Customs House in New York, located within the World Trade Center complex. A survivor of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, he later relocated his business to Newark, New Jersey, where he continued working until his retirement at age 65. Peter was an intensely independent man, well known for his stubborn determination and remarkable self-reliance. He rarely asked for help and rarely needed it. Exceptionally handy, Peter built a second-level deck onto his Staten Island home, constructed a koi pond from scratch, and became locally known for creating elaborate and beautiful Christmas light displays. Even well into his seventies, he could often be found on the roof of his two-story home, tirelessly maintaining it. He was, in every sense, unstoppable. His hobbies reflected both precision and adventure and included train collecting, firearms, archery, and a lifelong love of the water scuba diving, kayaking, and swimming. Peter was an active member of the Richmond Boro Gun Club, where spending warm days shooting his pistols and rifles brought him great joy. An avid animal lover, Peter owned dogs, rabbits, and fish throughout his life, a love of animals he proudly passed on to his two daughters. Peter is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Priscilla "Jackie" Scagnelli. The two met in the early 1970s at a bar on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, married in August 1975, and made their home on Staten Island. He is also survived by his beloved daughters, Lisa and Alyssa Scagnelli, who will forever carry forward his strength, independence, and unwavering spirit. The family will receive friends from 2 - 4 pm and 7 - 9 pm on Monday, February 16, 2026, at The John Vincent Scalia Home For Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd. (at Eltingville Station), Staten Island, New York. A Mass Of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday at St Clare Church located at 110 Nelson Ave Staten Island, New York 10308. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY.

Peter A. Scagnelli

February 16, 1945 - February 13, 2026