Town of Hempstead residents gathered in Seaford on Saturday to say their final goodbyes to Town Councilman Chris Carini.

Family, friends and the community gathered at the Charles G. Schmitt Funeral Home to celebrate the life of Carini, who died unexpectedly last Sunday at 49 while he visited family in Florida.

The Seaford resident served as councilman since 2019.

Before becoming an elected official, he served 22 years as a police officer with the NYPD, MTA and Port Authority.

He leaves behind a wife and two children.

"He loved his people in the Town of Hempstead. He loved his family, he loved the county. He loved everything about the Town of Hempstead and the community of Seaford," said Chris Kelly, Carini's brother-in-law. "If that's one thing I can just ask them to remember him by is that he really cared and he loved his community and his family."

Another wake service for Carini has been scheduled at the Charles G. Schmitt Funeral Home for Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The funeral for Carinin is scheduled for Monday 9:30 a.m. at St. William The Abbot Roman Catholic Church in Seaford.