Dr. Joseph "Joe" N. Scionti

Son of the late Joseph and Assunta Scionti of Dorchester, and brother to the late Teresa (Scionti) Korgol, Joe was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1931. He attended Boston Public Schools where he excelled in his studies and joined the Air Force in March 1952. Stationed in Germany in 1955, Joe was a Staff Sergeant and a Ward Master in the Psych Unit at the US military hospital in Wiesbaden. While there, Joe attended classes at Maryland University Overseas Program and met Elsa Nicolovius. The two were married in December 1955 and lived for a time in Wiesbaden, with Elsa’s family.

Discharged in November 1957, Joe and Elsa returned to Boston, where Joe earned his Bachelor’s at Suffolk University, Master’s at Tufts, and PhD at Brown University where he received a DAAD (German Academic Exchange Program) Fellowship.

In 1965, Joe joined the faculty in the History Department at what was then SMTI and would later become SMU, and eventually UMass Dartmouth. He specialized in the Renaissance and Reformation, but also taught Western Civilization, and the history of both Italy and Germany. Known for his excellent teaching skills and ability to keep students engaged, Joe’s classes were highly sought after and frequently had long waiting lists. His “Mary Travers” wig and habit of reciting poetry during class were legendary among students. Joe was the first recipient of the Leo M. Sullivan Teacher of the Year Award (1971) and was active in the social and academic life of the campus.

A popular speaker, Joe often gave lectures to area groups such as the Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus, and the Unitarian Universalist church. Popular topics included history and even the mafia.

Joe loved basketball and was a life-long Celtics fan and a full-season ticket holder since 1960. He shared his great love of basketball in general and the Celtics specifically with his children, bringing first his daughter to all the games, and then his son, and for many years now his granddaughter. He remained an ardent and faithful fan through the good times and the bad. Through rain or shine, snow or sleet – or Sidney Wicks starting in the front-court – he rarely missed a game and was with the Celtics either in person in the Garden, or in spirit on the road for every thrilling win, and every crushing defeat.

Joe had a great love of family and was happiest when surrounded by family and friends discussing history and politics, sports, movies, or music. Joe and Elsa traveled frequently to Germany to see family and friends but also traveled extensively throughout the US and Europe. Elsa taught German at Canton High School where she ran the longest running international high school exchange program in the US, which just celebrated its 40th year. Joe frequently took part in the activities of the exchange and after retiring as a full-time teacher, Joe traveled each year with the exchange.

Joe spoke fluent German and Italian, and could read and translate French and Latin.

He is survived by his wife Elsa, daughter Lorelei Scionti of Dartmouth, son Constantine Scionti and his wife Patti Hathaway of Newton, granddaughter Samantha Scionti and her wife Tye Downing and their daughter TJ of Boston.

Visiting hours are scheduled for Saturday, July 7, 2018 from 1-4 with a brief service to follow at 4 pm at Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Road, Dartmouth, MA. A private burial with military honors will take place later in the month at the Massachusetts National Cemetery on Cape Cod. For online tribute/directions www.waring-sullivan.com.