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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Donna Petrelli

Shared a heart

Gregory Knapp

A brilliant geographer and an independent spirit. Wonderful writer and colleague at professional meetings. He will be missed.

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Cristina Scarpaci

Jane Hobeika

Gilda, Christina, and Michael,

My heart goes out to you. I know, firsthand, that no words are sufficient right now, but please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Antoine and I loved Joe—his smile, his zest for life, his great cigars. And I love your family. “The joy of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10. May you find His strength in the days ahead.

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Cristina Scarpaci

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Ann Shawhan

Shared a heart

jodi rita Hakim -Scarpaci

Dear Gilda Micheal and Christina ... My heart is with you all it's such a bittersweet journey that only God can pull us through..I pray for peace to come to all of your hearts.. I'm still struggling with my very dear loss . I just want to say Joe was an outstanding brother in law I only wish we remained closer... He was such a special brilliant and compassionate man and he gave me hope through our difficult times with that amazing speech at Sam and my wedding ! He put soo much into writing and delivering it with such a deep understanding and pride . I will never forget him ! My heart goes out to Darlene Josette and Sam . Sam always looked up to him and was so proud to call him brother . Life is fragile I hope you all will infuse Joes great influence through all the children to create a great legacy to remember...I love you all my prayers are with all of you .. much love JodiRita and Sam Jr 🙏♥️

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Darlene Violetta

Cristina Scarpaci

Anny Naya

Larry Bechtel

My wife Ann and I were on his 2019 “Arts” tour to Cuba. Wow! Truly, it was a “trip,” an immersion in a strange, impoverished, beautiful, decrepit, intricate, and multi-layered culture which Joe navigated for us with ease, explaining and translating as we went. I came back changed. Gracias, Joe!

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Ann Shawhan

Cristina Scarpaci

Anny Naya

Ann Hackworth

2023, Trinidad, Cuba

Joe chatting up a young local while the rest of us rested.

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Leslie Pernice - Davis

Ann Shawhan

Jamshid Kia

Donna Petrelli

Comments:

Darlene Violetta

Our Daddy Joe Scarpaci Sr was unassuming, quiet & always for the unfortunate. Joe was blessed with these ... Read more Our Daddy Joe Scarpaci Sr was unassuming, quiet & always for the unfortunate. Joe was blessed with these attributes but also had... Read more Our Daddy Joe Scarpaci Sr was unassuming, quiet & always... Read more

Renee McMahan

Sending love from our family to yours. We are so sorry for the loss of Joe, such a wonderful person to know. Prayers for you and your family.

Renee McMahan

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Ann Hackworth

2023, Giron, Cuba

Jan. 26. At the Bay of Pigs Museum

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Leslie Pernice - Davis

Jamshid Kia

Ann Hackworth

2023, Havana, Cuba

Jan. 2023. Clearly an expert!

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Leslie Pernice - Davis

Cristina Scarpaci

Anny Naya

Jamshid Kia

Ann Hackworth

2023, Havana, Cuba

Jan. 24, 2023: 1st full day of our trip to Cuba (it was Joe's 94th or 95th trip!). Here we are in the beautiful courtyard of the primary school that Joe has supported for years. We had just dropped off our supplies for the children.

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Leslie Pernice - Davis

Cristina Scarpaci

Anny Naya

Jamshid Kia

Donna Petrelli

Gerri Young

Joe, gettin' down with the locals one morning in old town Havana as we were getting ready to head out for the day. — with Joe on the left

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Leslie Pernice - Davis

Ann Shawhan

Cristina Scarpaci

Anny Naya

Jamshid Kia

Juliane Bruschz

Shared a heart

Juliane Bruschz

2020, Oak Tree Readers Club

Joe’s inspiring class

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Linda Jilk

Leslie Pernice - Davis

Cristina Scarpaci

Anny Naya

Jamshid Kia

Beth Anne Nettis

What a beautiful tribute and very full life Joe led! Sending heartfelt condolences to the entire Scarpaci family and all of those Joe left behind. He may be gone, but find comfort in all of the photos and memories of time spent with him — you will have those forever.

with love, Beth Anne & Don Nettis

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Darlene Violetta

Cristina Scarpaci

Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

1992, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

My handsome cousin's unforgettable smile -- forever etched in our hearts

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Providence Cicero

Leslie Pernice - Davis

Ann Shawhan

Cristina Scarpaci

Anny Naya

Jamshid Kia

Ruth Grene

Joe was a tireless worker for justice and well-being. His ability to connect with learners, be they language enthusiasts or yogis, was truly admirable. My condolences to his family. He will be sorely missed.

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Juliane Bruschz

Cristina Scarpaci

Ruth Grene

Anny Naya

Linda Jilk

Joe and some of his English language learners

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Leslie Pernice - Davis

Juliane Bruschz

Cristina Scarpaci

Anny Naya

Jamshid Kia

Comments:

Linda Jilk

Deepest of sympathies to the Scarpaci family. I first met Joe in 2018 when he completed the Literacy NRV ... Read more Deepest of sympathies to the Scarpaci family. I first met Joe in 2018 when he completed the Literacy NRV tutor training. He was... Read more Deepest of sympathies to the Scarpaci family. I first... Read more

Cristina Scarpaci

Thank you for sharing this <3 Thank you for sharing this <3 Thank you for sharing this <3

Leslie Pernice - Davis

Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

Cristina Scarpaci

Anny Naya

Jamshid Kia

Donna Petrelli

Comments:

Leslie Pernice - Davis

We met this fabulous couple on a cruise last year and our lives were changed forever! This picture shows... Read more We met this fabulous couple on a cruise last year and our lives were changed forever! This picture shows our 2 new family members... Read more We met this fabulous couple on a cruise last year and... Read more

Leslie Pernice - Davis

Juliane Bruschz

Ann Shawhan

Anny Naya

Jamshid Kia

Comments:

Leslie Pernice - Davis

What a beautiful couple! Love you Joe and Gilda, our prayers are with you and your entire family forever!... Read more What a beautiful couple! Love you Joe and Gilda, our prayers are with you and your entire family forever! Marlon, Leslie, Salvatore... Read more What a beautiful couple! Love you Joe and Gilda, our... Read more

Leslie Pernice - Davis

2022, Mediterranean Cruise

Leslie Pernice - Davis

Jamshid Kia

Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

Cristina Scarpaci

Susan Phipps

To all the Scarpaci family...and many friends...all my deepest sympathy. God be with us all.

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Sandy D’Alesandro Huber

Cristina Scarpaci

Comments:

Susan Phipps

I met Joey in gradeschool...Foster Elementary...we were neighbors and friends. Our sisters, Darlene, and ... Read more I met Joey in gradeschool...Foster Elementary...we were neighbors and friends. Our sisters, Darlene, and Marie were best friends...and... Read more I met Joey in gradeschool...Foster Elementary...we ... Read more

David Hruska

Mid 80's Joe forces me out of bed before dawn to go canoe fishing on Lochloosa Lake. Calm conditions but fog so dense we could barely see the bow of the boat. After padding blind for a while suddenly there was a break in the fog and we beheld an amazing sight. Not twenty feet from us a flock of majestic sandhill cranes was standing tall on a floating grass/reed island. From our low seats in the canoe the birds seemed ten feet tall and beautiful. They watched us watching them and it was perfectly quiet. Awesome experience! Thanks Joe!

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