YMCA Director
Inducted Class of 1993
As the Geneva YMCA director from 1929 until 1965 when he retired, Joe had a positive and lasting impact on the youth of Geneva. Joe believed that there were many lessons to be learned through the many recreational and social activities of the YMCA. Under his direction, the “Y” saw a rapid growth of membership and wide expansion of activities. He added a new swimming pool and started a swimming program.
Joe started and supervised Geneva’s summer playground program for the city. He started the Geneva Softball League in 1929. He was founder and commissioner of the Geneva Kiwanis Baseball League in 1946 as well as chairman of the NY State Kiwanis Baseball Federation.
A newspaper article described Joe as a “great friend to the younger generation of this community – a willing and devoted worker in all branches of sports and social activities.” In 1949 he was honored as an “Outstanding Citizen” at a testimonial dinner.