Joseph Patrick Hogan, 77, former Deputy Commissioner of Social Services for Westchester County and a longtime resident of Ridgefield, died peacefully on March 5, 2022 at Regional Hospice Center in Danbury, CT after a rapid battle with cancer. In 1997, Joseph received the Westchester County Distinguished Service Award for his years of service to the County and March 5, 1998 was declared “Joseph P. Hogan” Day by the Board of Legislators in honor of his retirement.
Joseph was married to Evelyn (Horowitz) Hogan, formerly a member of the Ridgefield Board of Education and Director of Social Services for the Town. He is survived by his sons Howard S. Hogan (an attorney in Washington, D.C.) and Matthew P. Hogan (a music executive in Michigan), as well as his daughters-in-law, Karen Gurnitz and Anna Hogan, and his grandchildren, Emma, Abigail, Sam, and Davis Hogan.
Joseph was born in Yonkers on October 12, 1944 to William Hogan and Angela Hogan (born Obremsky and later Kolb). He attended St. Mary’s Elementary School in Yonkers and Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx. He received his undergraduate degree from Iona College in 1966 and his Masters in Social Work from Fordham University in 1971. He met his wife, Evelyn, when they were both employed by the Westchester County Department of Social Services. The couple was married September 2, 1967, and remained married until Evelyn’s death in 2017, shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary.
The family moved to Ridgefield in 1972, where Joseph coached youth sports and participated in various charitable activities. Joseph continued to commute to Westchester, where he served as a caseworker and supervisor in the Yonkers District Office before stints as supervisor in the Port Chester and Mount Vernon offices, Yonkers District Director, Senior Management Analyst for the County, Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and temporary acting Commissioner. Joseph was credited with updating the County’s welfare management system, reducing its error rate, and guiding the County’s welfare reform efforts during the 1990s.
Following his retirement, Joseph worked with Volunteers of America of Greater New York, and later volunteered to help ensure that eligible individuals could receive their benefits under the Obama Administration’s Affordable Care Act.
Joseph was described as a loving father, grandfather, husband, brother, and uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. He was a passionate advocate for peace and civil rights during the 1960s and 70s and a champion of the less fortunate in the New York Tri-State area throughout his life. He was also an avid fan of movies, music, and sports, a love that he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
A Celebration of Joseph’s Life will be held at Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM. Interment will take place at The Cedar Park Cemetery, Sanctuary of Abraham and Sarah, 735 Forest Avenue Paramus, NJ. The family will receive friends at Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield on Sunday, May 29 from 10:00 AM until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Cardinal Hayes High School or Founders Hall in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
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