Joseph Ricciardi, Class of 1936

Joseph Ricciardi worked for the Kissen News Agency in Port Jervis from the age of 8 until 1970, when he and his wife, Grayce became the owners of Jay's Handy Corner in Matamoras, PA which was eventually renamed "The Mayor's Corner". He served in the Army in WWII from 1941-1944. He was an umpire for the Port Jervis Little League for more than 20 years and after retiring from it was invited back many times to throw out the first pitch for Opening Day! Joe served on the Matamoras Recreation Committee, the Matamoras Planning Board and was the Treasurer of the Pike County Cooperative Office. Joe was an avid bowler in his younger days, and bowled in many leagues at Port Jervis Bowl. In 1987, he was inducted into the Middletown Bowling Association Hall of Fame for his achievements. In 1971, Joe was elected Mayor of Matamoras, Pennsylvania, an office he held for 31 years until his retirement in 2002.