Memories of Joseph "Joe" L. Scarpaci, Jr.

In memory of

Joseph "Joe" L. Scarpaci, Jr.

Blacksburg, Virginia

January 13, 1955 - December 30, 2023

Jan 13, 1955 - Dec 30, 2023

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Tom Hammett

2004, Gangtok, Sikkim, India

Always looking for fun! Joe and a student from the class found these signs at the tea plantation! — with Joe Scarpaci

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Cristina Scarpaci

Tom Hammett

2004, On the road from Sikkim south

Joe tries to slow down a herd of water buffalo so he can take a photo

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Cristina Scarpaci

Tom Hammett

2004, Gangtok, Sikkim, India

Joe sharing his photos in the market — with Joe Scarpaci

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Cristina Scarpaci

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Tom Hammett

2004, Mt. Kanchenjunga

On the trail to Kanchenjunga

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Cristina Scarpaci

Comments:

Tom Hammett

Joe is third from the left in the back row. Joe is third from the left in the back row. Joe is third from the left in the back row.

Tom Hammett

2004, in the Mountains of Sikkim

Joe cutting his birthday cake!

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Cristina Scarpaci

Comments:

Tom Hammett

Somehow the word got out about his birthday and the crew arranged for prayer shawls, some small gifts and... Read more Somehow the word got out about his birthday and the crew arranged for prayer shawls, some small gifts and a birthday cake! Joe... Read more Somehow the word got out about his birthday and the... Read more

Tom Hammett

Joe and I were soccer parents as our kids grew up. He and I worked together for over 20 years. On campus we taught a class together. Overseas we had several adventures together! He invited me to join his course in Cuba and to add natural resources . I invited him to join our team in Bolivia - he and I traveled to the Amazon there and had several adventures in the forests! Later I included him in my course in Sikkim. We camped at 16,000 feet and visited sites including monasteries, and tea plantation, It was there that I introduced him to riding on top of the bus!

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Cristina Scarpaci

Comments:

Cristina Scarpaci

Thank you for sharing these memories. He celebrated his 50th birthday on this trip <3 Thank you for sharing these memories. He celebrated his 50th birthday on this trip <3 Thank you for sharing these memories. He celebrated... Read more

David Cottrell

Cristina Scarpaci

Comments:

David Cottrell

Not sure when or somewhere with my wife Sue and the dynamic duo. Not sure when or somewhere with my wife Sue and the dynamic duo. Not sure when or somewhere with my wife Sue and the... Read more

David Cottrell

Cristina Scarpaci

Comments:

David Cottrell

With Joe and Gilda in a house near the coast of Chile (I think) in the early 1980s. Or maybe not.... With Joe and Gilda in a house near the coast of Chile (I think) in the early 1980s. Or maybe not.... With Joe and Gilda in a house near the coast of Chile... Read more

Beverly Fleming

To Joe's Family, I enjoyed knowing Joe and sharing the memories of my parents' honeymoon to Cuba in 1936 through their scrapbook. And my several visits to his home one where I purchase a primitive Havana street scene which I am daily enjoying, just to name a few remembrances.

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Cristina Scarpaci

Pam Dunn

Shared a heart

Donna Petrelli

Boston, MA, USA

Jim and Barb's Wedding

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Cristina Scarpaci

Comments:

Donna Petrelli

Joe is 2nd from the right (sorry for the poor quality) Joe is 2nd from the right (sorry for the poor quality) Joe is 2nd from the right (sorry for the poor quality)... Read more

Donna Petrelli

Boston, MA, USA

Jim and Barb's Wedding

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Comments:

Donna Petrelli

Joe is 2nd from the right (sorry for poor quality) Joe is 2nd from the right (sorry for poor quality) Joe is 2nd from the right (sorry for poor quality)

Donna Petrelli

1973, Somewhere on way to Boston

Cooling Off — with Donna Petrelli

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Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

Comments:

Donna Petrelli

Joe saved me from drowning moments later Joe saved me from drowning moments later Joe saved me from drowning moments later

Donna Petrelli

Joey and I hitchhiked (yes, hitchhiked...it was the way to travel cheaply back then and much safer than today)... Read more Joey and I hitchhiked (yes, hitchhiked...it was the way to travel cheaply back then and much safer than today) to Boston for our... Read more Joey and I hitchhiked (yes, hitchhiked...it was the... Read more

Cristina Scarpaci

Thank you for sharing this memory <3 I saw my father save several people from fast-moving water. He was always... Read more Thank you for sharing this memory <3 I saw my father save several people from fast-moving water. He was always steady in a current.... Read more Thank you for sharing this memory <3 I saw my father... Read more

Donna Petrelli

1972, Market Square, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Night Out at the Crazy Quilt Enjoying Music — with Kevin McGuire, Donna Petrelli and Joey Scarpaci

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Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

Cristina Scarpaci

Comments:

Donna Petrelli

As good friends, one of the things that we shared, was an enjoyment of Rock Music. Whenever a new album came... Read more As good friends, one of the things that we shared, was an enjoyment of Rock Music. Whenever a new album came onto the charts, ... Read more As good friends, one of the things that we shared, ... Read more

Donna Petrelli

1972, Foster Elementary School, Vermont Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Enjoying Nature

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Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

Comments:

Donna Petrelli

I met Joey in 4th grade when I moved from another part of Mt. Lebanon to Foster School area. We weren't friends... Read more I met Joey in 4th grade when I moved from another part of Mt. Lebanon to Foster School area. We weren't friends then...more like... Read more I met Joey in 4th grade when I moved from another part... Read more

Donna Petrelli

1972, Foster Elementary School, Vermont Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Enjoying Nature — with Joe Scarpaci, Kevin McGuire

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Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

Cristina Scarpaci

Donna Petrelli

1972, Foster Elementary School, Vermont Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

"Always remember the happy guy in the tree"

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Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

Cristina Scarpaci

Donna Petrelli

1971, Mt. Lebanon High School, Cochran Road, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Group of Joe's Friends — with Donna Petrelli, Joe Scarpaci, Scott Moffitt, Becky Keltz, Jim Grazianno

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Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

Donna Petrelli

1972, Mt. Lebanon High School, Cochran Road, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Joe's Senior Picture

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Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

Comments:

Sam Cicero Scarpaci

Great picture bro Great picture bro Great picture bro

Rodney Kimbangu

Joe, together with Gilda, at my show.

Papa Joe, may the ancestors be kind to you. My Condolences Mama Gilda, Michael, and Cristina.

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Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

Cristina Scarpaci

Denean Bradecamp

May your sweet memories warm your hearts.

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Cristina Scarpaci

Angela Sorbello

A strong hug from your Castelbuono cousins, we’re very sorry ..

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Cristina Scarpaci

Thomas Howard

As a faculty member of the VT Department of History I travelled with Joe on one of his early trips to Cuba where I benefited from his many insights. He also helped me return with a stray kitten that became a part of our family for many years.

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Cristina Scarpaci

Adriana Mendez

Dear Gilda, Michael, and Cristina:

When I received Gilda’s message last night, I could not believe it! I am deeply saddened at the news of Joe’s passing, and send my heartfelt condolences to all of you. Joe was a great man, a first-rate scholar, and a true friend.

I have fond memories of those early years at Iowa, when we were neighbors on Brown Street, and of the birth of Cristina. After many years of not being in touch, we reconnected during my visit to your home in Blacksburg. I greatly admired Joe’s work on the urban history of Havana; we had lively exchanges on the carriages of old Havana, and what the city was like during the colonial period. He was generous and inspiring and helped me in my own work.

I am sorry now that I did not join him on one of his bird-watching expeditions.

Les mando un muy sentido pésame. Están en mi pensamiento y oraciones. Abrazos a todos,

Adriana

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Cristina Scarpaci

Jenine Culligan

2023, Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins University

Joe with Cuban Artists in the exhibition he organized titled: Cuba: Beyond Mambo and Rock 'n Roll — with Ernesto J. Garcia Nodarse

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Ann Shawhan

Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

Cristina Scarpaci

Comments:

Jenine Culligan

Joe and I worked together for almost a year and a half to present an exhibition of Cuban artists he had befriended... Read more Joe and I worked together for almost a year and a half to present an exhibition of Cuban artists he had befriended during his ... Read more Joe and I worked together for almost a year and a half... Read more