Joseph Hipius

Joseph C. Hipius of Yonkers, NY passed away on January 6, 2016 after a period of declining health. Joe retired as Chief Court Clerk in the Office of the County Clerk and New York State Supreme Court, New York County, in 1986 after 36 years of service. He was recipient of the “Bernard Botein Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of the Courts,” and the first recipient of the “James P. Conlon Award for Dedication, Loyalty, and Untiring Effort on Behalf of all Court Clerks.” Joe was one of the founders of the New York State Court Clerks Association in 1967 and served as an officer for fifteen years.

Joe was born in Brooklyn in 1922 and resided in New York City until he married Elizabeth (“Lee”) Savino in 1950 at Mt. Carmel R.C. Church, Yonkers.

He attended Power Memorial Academy, Cathedral College and received B.A. Degree in Philosophy from St. Joseph's Seminary and M.S. Degree in Psychology. He was a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. He taught at Rice High School and served as Attendance Officer at Cardinal Hayes High School, before becoming a Parole Officer for the City of New York.

Joe began his career in the Court System as a Court Officer in the Court of General Sessions of the State of New York and advanced to Deputy Court Clerk, serving in the Criminal Division of the New York State Supreme Court for over 19 years, and subsequently transferred to the Civil Division as Chief Court Clerk for over 17 years. Besides the many innovations and improved practices he introduced into the court system, he was also popular for his famous roasts and keynote speaker at retirement dinners and other functions.

During vacation breaks in high school and college, Joe avoided office jobs (“because it was boring and there was so much more to learn elsewhere”) and he sought and worked various other fields: mail clerk for the New York Daily News; usher at the old Roxy Theatre in New York City; farm hand, learning to feed chickens, slop pigs, milk cows, etc.; camp counselor and assistant camp director at boys’ camps; barker for a “freak sideshow” at Coney Island; jobs at amusement parks and arcades; etc.

After college, Joe pursued a theatrical career in acting, writing, directing, and “doctoring” many church and school plays, and studied acting with the famous original Black Friars in the 1940’s, appearing in several of their productions. Then he understudied and was standby for the role of “Judd Fry” in the original production of “Oklahoma,” appearing in the role at matinee performances in 1948 before it closed after 5 years. Joe left the theatre, but the theatre never left him.

Joe served as an adult scouter for over 50 years, beginning as a Cubmaster in Pack 112, Sacred Heart Church in 1958. He has held most leadership positions in the Council and District including District and Council Commissioner, District Chairman, Council Vice-President for the Cub Scout Program, Council Training Chairman. He served for 12 years as the Chairman and Coordinator of Cub Scout Trainer Wood Badge for the Northeast Region, and for 13 years on the National Cub Scout Committee, chairing many major projects and programs, and where he acquired the pseudonym, “Aloysius P. McGillicuddy III.” He was especially proud of his service as Roundtable Commissioner, building monthly attendance from 35 scouters to an average of 180-220 each month, for over 5 years, by presenting a full program of skits, songs, games, etc. – some referred to it as “the best off-Broadway show where you really learned about the scout program.” In 1987 he received a unique recognition from Scoutmasters for having delivered over 200 Eagle Scout Charges to Scouts at their Eagle Courts of Honor. Since then he delivered at least 70 more.

“Al” served for several years on the Philmont Training Faculty and the former Schiff Scout Reservation Training Center; attended several Jamborees; served as Course Director for Cub Scout Trainer Wood Badge at Heritage Scout Reservation; and was organizer and Course Director of the first Cub Scout Trainer Wood Badge Course to be held in Puerto Rico.

Among his Scouting Awards are: Cubmaster Key, Explorer Advisor Key, Commissioners Key, Bronze Pelican, St. George Medal, Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow, Wood Badge Four Beader, District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver Award and the Silver Antelope Award.

Besides his wife, Lee, he is survived by two “Eagle Scout”sons, Joseph (of DeWitt, NY) and Michael (of Pleasantville, NY). He is also survived by four grandsons and one great grandson and “thousands of scouts and leaders.” His wish for everyone has always been “Love and Laughter.” His philosophy: “Once upon a time never comes again. Have a great life.”

Calling hours will be held at Whelan & Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Ave., Yonkers, from 4-6 PM and 7-9 PM on Friday, January 8. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers at 9:30 AM, followed by Committal Service at Ferncliff Chapel. Interment at St. Joseph's cemetery will occur at a later date. Contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America or to Sacred Heart Church in Joe's memory.

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Avenue

Yonkers, New York 10703

914-965-5488

914-965-3942-Fax

www.whalenandballfh.com