Ashfield, MA – Joseph Maria Scelsi passed away in his family’s arms at his home in Ashfield, Massachusetts on July 15th following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born on July 13, 1961 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Joe was the only child of Anthony D. Scelsi and Carmella (Polcaro) Scelsi who both predeceased him. He attended Pittsfield schools in early years and later graduated from UMass Amherst with both an undergraduate degree in business and an MBA from UMass’ Eisenberg school.
To all that knew or met Joe it was apparent how even-tempered, kind and sincere a person he truly was. He was always accepting of people and a man who never spoke poorly of anyone. Joe was ever-caring to his family and a fair, considerate coworker to those he collaborated with and managed in various roles over 40 years.
Joe started his working career as a young teenager apprenticing in his parent’s self made business, the C. Scelsi’s Berkshire Bakery. In this busy loving atmosphere Joe cultivated his craft of baking and developed his passionate work ethic, paving his way into managing bakeries for Price Chopper Supermarkets in Amherst & Pittsfield in subsequent years to follow.
Upon completing his MBA, he held positions in finance, working both for Berkshire Life and later as the finance director for the Words & Pictures Museum. Words & Pictures was a non-profit, graphic art gallery and educational facility curated and owned by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle co-creator Kevin Eastman in downtown Northampton. This position at the comic museum introduced him to the world of sequential art for which he developed a lifelong appreciation, leading his son Tony along the journey with him.
During Joe’s final decade of employment and prior to developing early onset Alzheimer’s disease, he worked as the general manager of the Berkshire Mall, then operations manager for the Lee Prime Outlets.
In addition to his parents, Joe is survived by his wife of 44 years, Karin Abderhalden. His son, Anthony Scelsi and wife Jennifer (Pride) Scelsi and their daughter Jolene (Jo for short) of Greenfield, MA. Additionally, he leaves his brother-in-law, William R Abderhalden II of Lee and several nephews, niece and cousins.
All are welcome to attend a vigil service on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 with calling hours from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, MA followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Agnes Catholic Community, 489 Main St., Dalton with burial following in the family plot at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Highland Ambulance EMS, 12 Williams Dr., Goshen, MA 01032 or in Joe’s honor at the Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, PO Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061-0329. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com
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