BATTISTA, JOSEPH "Pipp" (4 Nov. 1908-16 May 1993) was a community leader in the LITTLE ITALY neighborhood and a member of the Mayfield-Murray Hill District Council. Battista owned and operated Pipp's Hardware (Murray Hill & Edgehill) for 35 years and was a trustee and president of ALTA HOUSE.
Battista lived with his brothers, Joseph earned money caddying at Oakwood Country Club (see OAKWOOD CLUB), where he developed a life-long love of GOLF. He later competed in Ohio Hardware Association tournaments and won its 1961 championship.
Battista purchased his hardware store in 1945. As a member of the Mayfield-Murray Hill District Council Battista assisted in building relationships between the neighborhood and surrounding institutions, including CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY and UNIVERSITY CIRCLE, INC.
Battista was involved with Alta House for 28 years as a trustee and president. He established the Alta House golf association, sponsoring the annual Alta golf tournament which attracted top amateur golfers in the Greater Cleveland area.
Battista was also a lay minister at HOLY ROSARY Catholic Church where he helped organize the parish council and church credit union. He also worked on the Feast of the Assumption celebration that brought thousands of people to Little Italy each August.
Battista married Margaret Chiocchio on 8 Aug.1931 and had three children, Marylou (Strathers), Joseph Jr., and Bruce. He is buried in the Western Reserve Memorial Gardens.