ALTAMONT — On Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, Joseph Daniel Hilton of Altamont “followed the light to meet The Lord,” his family wrote in a tribute. He was 73.

He was born in Hudson, New York on May 10, 1948 to Paul S. and Laura Hilton.

He married Judith Manhey of Albany on Jan. 17, 1970. That same year, he graduated from Siena College and went on to receive his master’s degree in public administration from Russell Sage College.

Mr. Hilton was a commanding officer for the Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1978. He was employed by New York State for 34 years. He retired in 2004 as the Bureau Director of Municipal Writing and Statistics at the office of the State Comptroller.

“Love came easy for Joe,” his family wrote. “He was selfless, empathetic, and just. He doted, forever, on his wife, Judy. She was his everything in every sense of the word. She never served him a meal that wasn’t ‘decadent’ or ‘delicious’ or ‘delightful.’ And he was good with the dishes too.

“His true calling was as a father. He raised three fiercely independent women: Rebecca Heeps (Colin) of East Greenbush, Amy Martin (Joshua) of Altamont, and Sarah Niemitalo (Lee) of Castleton; the type of women who would have thrived as pioneers out on the prairie. He provided them with practical skills, like minor automotive maintenance, knots, and how to firmly assert your will.

“‘Grandpa Joe’ was most content in the basement among seven young, rambunctious grandchildren. He will be remembered sitting within the mayhem and raucousness, finding absolute joy and laughter in the silliness of his grandkids, Cameron, Grace, Henry, Thatcher, Emma, Liam, and Josie.

“He liked a good lip balm, swimming (preferably in the waters of Caroga Lake), a cheesy joke, a well-worn phrase, motorcycle rides in the countryside, a cigar while atop a float in his pool, and most of all to bring light and joy to others. He walked this earth to be in service of us all, to pick us up when we were down, to make sure we remembered not to take ourselves too seriously.

“Joe, who will be dancing up in heaven through the night with his two brothers, is predeceased by his older brother Paul Hilton (Linda) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and younger brother Daniel (Lauren and son Ben) of Hudson. Special thoughts go out to their wonderful friends Curtis and Martha McEwan for all their kindness and love to Joe during his long journey.”

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Services will be held on Thursday, Jan. 27, at New Comer Funeral Home on New Karner Road in Colonie, with calling hours from 3 to 5 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 5 p.m. Masks are required inside of the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York Chapter, 4 Pine West Plaza Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205.