Joseph Carmen Scarpelli, age 89, of Park Ridge, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2025, surrounded by his family.

He was born in 1935 in Chicago to the late Ercole and Emilia (Mazzuca) Scarpelli. He was the third of four children. Joe graduated from Steinmetz High School in 1953 and attended North Dakota State University on a football scholarship. He worked for the State of Illinois and also owned and operated the Jefferson Travel Agency in Chicago. As a part time job, he refereed high school football and basketball games for many years. He was preceded in death by his first wife Carole (Cutro), with whom he shared 28 years of marriage and raised three children (Nick, Ernie, and Joanne) in Chicago and Park Ridge. Joe married Louise (Hyzny-Sanders) Scarpelli in 2003. They were married for over 21 years and reside with Joanne in Park Ridge. Papa Joe was a treasured member of the Sanders family. Louise's children are Eric (Kimberly) Sanders, Audrey (Frank) Ulrich, and Russel (Claire) Sanders. The Sanders' grandchildren include Holly, Kurtis, Lukas, and Sarah Sanders, Steven Fiske, Jeff (Jen) Ulrich, Alexander Ulrich, Julie (John) Davis, Abigail (Nathan) Harris, plus 13 great-grandchildren.

Joe is survived by his wife, Louise, and his children, Nick (Melissa) Scarpelli, Ernie Scarpelli, and Joanne Scarpelli. Joe is also survived by his four grandchildren: Robert (RJ) Scarpelli, Jake Scarpelli, Joseph Scarpelli, and Genevieve (Gigi) Scarpelli. Other survivors include his sister, Sylvia Paiser, and his sister-in-law, Janet Scarpelli. He was preceded in death by his brother, Frank Scarpelli, and his sister, Elizabeth Smeriglio, and his brothers-in-law, Rocco Smeriglio and Donald Paiser.

Joe loved his family and his many lifelong friends, including the late Ralph (Cora) Capparelli and Bruce Pearson. Joe will always be remembered for his entertaining storytelling. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Services will be conducted by Cooney Funeral Home in Park Ridge. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. and end by 8:00 p.m. Sunday, July 13. Funeral mass Monday July 14, family and friends are asked to meet at St. Paul of the Cross Church in Park Ridge for 11:00 a.m. mass.