The Italian Enclaves Historical Society joins the Italian-American academic and cultural community in mourning Dr. Joseph Sciorra, folklorist, cultural historian, author, editor, and longtime Director of Academic and Cultural Programs at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute at Queens College, CUNY. Sciorra died unexpectedly on October 5, 2026, in Ridgewood, New York, at the age of 71. Across more than three decades, his scholarship helped deepen our understanding of Italian-American folklore, religious devotion, neighborhood life, and everyday artistic expression.
As founder of the Italian Enclaves Historical Society, I feel a personal connection to his work. I did not discover his scholarship until I was already well underway documenting Italian neighborhoods. By then, I had developed an affinity for photographing yard shrines—the statues, grottoes, and small devotional spaces that families lovingly created outside their homes. When I found his book, Built with Faith: Italian American Imagination and Catholic Material Culture in New York City, it was heartwarming to learn that someone else had devoted such extensive attention to these expressions of faith and heritage. Sciorra went a step further: he interviewed their builders, preserving the personal stories, intentions, and memories behind them. Having recently finished the book for the second time, I have an even greater appreciation for the depth and care of his research.
Sciorra’s fascination with presepi, the traditional Italian Nativity scenes, also resonated with me. He studied the people who built them and enjoyed creating his own. As an admirer of the presepio tradition, I appreciate the patience, imagination, and devotion that go into these miniature worlds. His work recognized those qualities and gave thoughtful attention to the makers themselves.
Although I never had the opportunity to meet Dr. Sciorra, his writing left a lasting impression on me. He captured the visual details of Italian-American culture while helping readers understand the lives and beliefs that shaped them. For those of us documenting Italian enclaves, his work is both an invaluable resource and an inspiration to look more closely, ask more questions, and preserve the stories behind what we see.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who learned from him. His scholarship will continue to inform and inspire the work of preserving Italian-American history and culture.
Raymond Guarini
Founder, Italian Enclaves Historical Society
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