Dr. Edward A. DeCarbo Jr.

Dr. Edward A. DeCarbo, Jr., 80, formerly of New Castle passed away the morning of February 18, 2024 in New York, New York.
Ed was born in Scranton, PA on January 1, 1944 to the late Edward A. DeCarbo, Sr. and Mary Kathryn Hamilton DeCarbo.
Ed was a self- described: Professionally decisive, idiosyncratic, problem solver and world traveler.
Ed began his extensive educational years by earning his Bachelor's Degree from Georgetown University in Foreign Service. His Masters Degree from University of Chicago, in International Relations., his Ph.D. from Indiana University, and his Doctor of Philosophy, Anthropology and African Studies.
Ed's scholarly pursuits next took him to Kassena Nankana region of Ghana in West Africa where in 1974 he settled into researching the aesthetics of the Kassena, an ethnic group in preparing for his advanced degree in anthropology.
Back in this country he wrote his dissertation based on his research and defended it before returning to Ghana to do post-doctoral work in 1977.
After almost two decades as a senior university administrator, in 1998 he was able to refocus his energy and intellectual pursuits towards engaging with art and pedagogy full time. These opportunities included directing museum education at the National Museum of African Art, and teaching African and global art histories primarily at Pratt Institute but also at The University of Maryland and the School of Visual Arts. Ed also participated in the rewriting of the Advanced Placement curriculum in Art History for the College Board.
Ed was passionate about teaching and his art collection. Ed described his personal art collection as idiosyncratic,
"an assemblage of African art in everyday life, and objects that are often intimate and personal in nature."
With the help of Vanessa, he has recently contributed his extensive library and art collection to Southern University of New Orleans.
Ed is survived by his daughter, Vanessa K. DeCarbo (Mahmoud Noaman Moustafa), one granddaughter, Mia Simone DeCarbo, his brother, Donald G. DeCarbo (Ann), his Partner, Mouhktar Kocache, his niece, Rosalyn Maitland (Bill), nephew, Edward "E.J." DeCarbo (Melissa), and four great-nieces and nephews, Matthew and Marina Maitland, Ilaria and Enzo DeCarbo.
Friends will be received Friday from 9:30 am until 11:30 am at the Ed & Don DeCarbo Funeral Home, 941 S. Mill Street. A service of remembrance will take place at 11:30 am at the Funeral Home.
Entombment will be in Parkside Mausoleum.