by Town Historian Al Dumas
I want to honor someone who was very important to me, and has shaped my life in public service. You may already know him, as he was very involved in community life in Thompson and beyond. I’m talking about the late Joseph Wasser. When he passed away on October 27th, 2004, Steve Israel wrote in the Times Herald Record that “Joseph Wasser was a legend in his own time. Tens of thousands of New Yorkers knew him as the dynamic man in a suit coat and tie who served the public trust for over a half century.” When Hilary Clinton visited Monticello years ago, she simply requested to see “The Sheriff” as Joseph Wasser was the longest serving sheriff in Sullivan County – and in New York State – when he retired in 1998. Let me share my knowledge of the life of Jospeh Wasser with you…
Joseph was born in Manhattan on December 9th, 1920. He spent his childhood in Monticello, where he graduated from Monticello High School, Class of 1939. He served the U.S. Army during the Korean War, as Chief of the United States Office of Price Stabilization, whose task was to control prices during the Korean War, from 1950 to 1952.
After his work in the Korean War, Joseph was elected as a Town of Thompson Judge in 1952 and held that position until 1971, while also being a member of the Thompson Town Board. In 1953, he joined the Monticello Fire Department – which he remained a member until his passing.
Some of you may recall a linen supply store in Monticello, this was owned by Mr. Wasser. He was also the co-owner of Kutsher’s Country Club along with his sister Helen. He even hired Wilt Chamberlain; they remained close for decades.
In 1972, Joseph Wasser became Sheriff of Sullivan County. He served from 1972 to 1976, and from 1982 to 1997, when he retired. Between 1976 and 1982, Wasser served the State of New York during the Hugh L. Carey Administration as Commissioner of the NY Department of Corrections, which maintains the state prison and parole system.
Joseph Wasser was very active in the Sullivan County Democratic Committee, from 1960s onward. In 1965, he accompanied the New York Senator Robert Kennedy down Broadway in Monticello. He was Vice Chairman in the 1980s. He also forged a close relationship with then Lt. Governor Mario Cuomo, and after Cuomo became Governor in 1982, he was in company with him in Monticello on several occasions. Governor Cuomo even wrote about Wasser in his book.
Joseph Wasser helped pave my path into public service as well. I joined the Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Association, which I will serve as President in its 100th year in 2026. I am also the current Vice Chair of the Sullivan County Democratic Committee, which Wasser was instrumental in helping me join in 1987, with Chief Judge Lawrence H. Cooke, Kay Kelly Bogdan and Fred Stabbert, Jr.
For those who knew him best, Joe Wasser was about people. He loved his family. His beloved wife Ethel passed over 30 years ago and his daughter Ellen passed about 2 years ago. He is survived by his son Martin and his granddaughter Laurie.
His son Martin was quoted saying, “everything is so partisan these days. Joe crossed the lines, asserting himself as a people person – he was there for everyone. He was a major player in New York politics, but he found time to give Girl and Boy Scouts a civics lesson. He even arranged to have sandwiches sent to the throngs of people at Woodstock with State police helicopters.”
I miss my friend and mentor Joe Wasser, but I enjoy recalling my memories of him. I’m sure that you – or someone you know – also has fond memories of this amazing public figure.