Court clerk specialist Joe Musolino retires after more than 30 years of service

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Contrary to the famous phrase that Super Bowl winners say when celebrating their victory, Joe Musolino is not going to Disney World, he assured the Brooklyn Eagle at his recent retirement bash in one of the courtrooms at 360 Adams St. 

The Jan. 24 event brought together approximately 100 of Musolino’s closest friends, family and co-workers. 

“I’m absolutely overwhelmed and incredibly grateful,” Musolino, 55, said. 

After more than 30 years in courthouses, he retired as a court clerk specialist and non-judicial supervisor in charge of the Guardianship and Mental Hygiene department. 

Musolino, who was born and raised in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, is a graduate of Xaverian High School. He later went on to Baruch College, where he received his Business Administration degree.

“I wanted to go into finance and accounting,” Musolino recalled. “I had some Wall Street jobs early on, but a lot of it was cold calling, and it didn’t really move me.”

Musolino had always taken Civil Service tests and ultimately took the one for court officer.

“I had a contact through the courts via my mother, who was a secretary to a Supreme Court judge,” he said, “and when I got called for the court officer test, I looked at the salary and the benefits and said, ‘Why not?’”

Musolino started as a court officer in 1994; his first assignment was in Manhattan Criminal Court, where he was stationed for two years. Soon after, he took the senior court officer test, which he passed, and subsequently began working at 360 Adams St.

“While I enjoyed being a court officer, I couldn’t envision myself being in uniform in the courtroom for most of my career,” Musolino explained.  “I aspired to do other things and became more involved in the law. I eventually took the clerk’s test, a more supervisory role, did well on that, and in late 1996, became a senior court clerk at 360 Adams Street.” 

According to Musolino, his favorite thing about working in the court system is the people aspect of it all.

“You deal with the public every day; you are the face of the public in so many ways,” he said, adding that he also likes to be challenged and keep busy.

Edward Volpe, a retired chief clerk who worked with Musolino during his career, called him “a beautiful person” and thanked him for all he has done for him and the team they were a part of.

Penny Brown, a senior court reporter, described Musolino as “an amazing person who will truly be missed.”

Future plans for Musolino include ample relaxation and staying home, enjoying quality family time with his wife Luci and son Matthew.

Musolino currently lives in New Jersey but will always be a Brooklyn guy at heart, he said with a smile. 

“I was there from birth until 2003; it’s in my blood.”