Joseph L. Scarpaci Jr.

1955 - 2023

Joseph L. Scarpaci, Jr.

January 13, 1955 - December 30, 2023

Joseph L. Scarpaci, Jr., 68, of Blacksburg, Virginia, left this earth on December 30, 2023 due to a sudden onset of illness. Scarpaci, a proud Pittsburgh native, was born on January 13, 1955, and grew up in a loving and vibrant family including three siblings and many cousins. A true child of the 1960s, he carried an inimitable free-spiritedness and curiosity forward throughout his life, opening worlds to people they never knew existed.

Inspired by his father's produce company and the tales behind each delivery, Scarpaci pursued a path in academia that focused on uncovering the uniqueness of place; receiving his bachelor's (Rutgers University), master's (Pennsylvania State University) and Ph.D. (University of Florida) degrees in geography. He was a repeat recipient of the Fulbright Award.

He married his college sweetheart and life partner of 47 years, Gilda Machin-Scarpaci, and together, they raised two children in Blacksburg, Cristina and Michael. Family and fatherhood were Scarpaci's greatest joys, and he delighted in his recent role as 'papa' to his first grandchild, Josephine "Josie" Collier.

Scarpaci, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech, taught and researched at the institution in the fields of geography, historic preservation and Latin America for nearly 20 years (1989-2008). He established the cultural exchange and study abroad programs to Chile and Cuba, a pursuit he continued with his organization the Center for the Study of Cuban Culture and Economy. He was preparing to take a group on his nearly 100th trip to Cuba at the time of his passing.

Throughout his career, he authored numerous scholarly publications; served as a trusted dissertation advisor to many; and, received recognitions and honorary positions for his contributions to the field from the Association of American Geographers, the Conference of Latinamericanist Geographers and the Library of Congress, among others.

Endlessly inquisitive, he traveled to, and explored, cultures around the world, living in Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Chile, Argentina and Denmark, and summiting mountains from the Himalayas to the Appalachians. He curated a milieu of passions and hobbies including cycling, yoga, tennis, bird watching, ESL and Spanish instruction, conservation and was an active volunteer with immigrants in the New River Valley community.

Scarpaci is survived by his wife Gilda Machin-Scarpaci; children Cristina Scarpaci (Christopher Collier), Michael Scarpaci (Katie Scarpaci); granddaughter Josephine Collier; and siblings Darlene Violetta (Bradley Violetta), Josette Scarpaci and Sam Scarpaci. He is preceded in death by his adoring parents Joseph L. Scarpaci, Sr. and Josephine Cicero Scarpaci; grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, who welcome him to the next life with a Cuban cigar, cold martini and Frank Sinatra on the record player.

Follow everloved.com/life-of/joseph-scarpaci/ for information on a celebration of life and memorial contributions to the Josie Scarpaci Breast Health Access Fund, in lieu of flowers.