In Loving Memory of Dr. John L. Esposito

John Louis Esposito, PhD, age 86, of Marco Island, Florida, and the Dunwoody Retirement Community in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, passed away on July 15, 2026, as a result of complications from heart surgery. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of the late John and Mary Esposito.

John was the distinguished Professor Emeritus of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. Dr. Esposito was the Founding Director of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding in the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown, mentoring thousands of students on campus and serving on dozens of MA and Ph.D committees.

Dr. Esposito was a frequent guest on mainstream media, writing for and giving interviews to newspapers and magazines in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. His writings have been published by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Economist, The Guardian, The Times of London, and he has been interviewed by CNN, ABC Nightline, CBS, NBC, Al Jazeera, and the BBC. He has, over his career, written over 50 books as well as served as Editor-in-Chief of several Oxford University Press encyclopedia projects. He was the Founding Editor of Oxford Islamic Studies Online, which earned a perfect 10 on a scale of 1-10 from a review by Harvard’s Middle East Librarian. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to scholarship and to intellectual and public life, John was also awarded seven honorary doctorates.

John’s life reflected the best traditions of the United States and the American people rooted in religious freedom, freedom of speech, and intellectual inquiry. Up until his untimely death, John had continued to direct a project that has never been more critical than at the present moment: The Bridge Initiative: Promoting Pluralism and Ending Islamophobia, which focuses on monitoring, documenting and combating Islamophobia.

John Esposito is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean Esposito, his partner and primary supporter in all his endeavors, and the enduring love of John’s life. He is the caring father of his adopted son, Emilio Gonzalez, and the adored grandfather of Jennifer, Emily, Nathalie, and Amy; devoted brother of Richard Esposito (Lida Syrko Esposito) and the late Louis Esposito (Frances Ferguson Esposito); and beloved uncle of Donna Esposito Kimble, John, Michael, Ricky, and Peter Esposito.
Family and friends are invited to John’s Celebration of Life on Friday, July 24, from 6:00-9:00 PM and to his viewing on Saturday, July 25, from 9:00-10:00 AM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073. Interment Private.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family can very significantly help to extend John’s work through a contribution of any kind to support his lifelong efforts. Please use one of these links:

Digital Donation: https://giving.georgetown.edu/cmcubridge

Physical Checks (should be made to Georgetown University’s Bridge Initiative on Islamophobia at ACMCU): https://acmcu.georgetown.edu/uncategorized/donate-by-mail/

Donate by Phone: https://giving.georgetown.edu/how-to-give/gift-instructions/#give-by-phone

Online condolences at donohuefuneralhome.com