NORTHAMPTON — After 29 years as chief administrator of Hampshire Superior Court, Harry J. Jekanowski Jr. has announced that he will not seek reelection this year.

Jekanowski was originally appointed clerk magistrate by the Supreme Judicial Court in July 1994 after the retirement of then-Clerk Norma June Thibodo. Since that time he has been elected to five consecutive six-year terms. His current term ends on Jan. 3, 2025.

Speaking by phone Friday, Jekanowski said he wasn’t ready just yet to say too much more, but offered a characteristically pithy assessment of his 41-year career at the court.

“I’ve seen the best of people and the worst of people,” he said.

A graduate of Boston College, he holds a law degree from Suffolk University and started practicing law in 1979 with the Northampton firm of Stevens and Dunphy. He also served as Northampton’s assistant city solicitor until his appointment as first assistant clerk in Hampshire Superior Court in February 1983.

Clerk magistrates oversee administrative tasks in a court of law, ensuring smooth operations. They manage court records, schedule cases, hire court personnel and may preside over minor cases. Jekanowski administers the oath of office for officials including the district attorney, county sheriff and probate register.

Superior Courts in Massachusetts are where murder cases and all major felony cases are adjudicated. Superior Court also has original jurisdiction over civil actions above $50,000.

Among Jekanowski’s roles outside the court, Santa Claus is certainly one of the more demanding. He took over the job as indispensable star of the Florence Holiday Parade and Look Park’s Christmas festivities from his father-in-law, Jack Dunphy, a decade ago.

“Just like you’re a performer on stage, you have to get in the zone, and I have to think about what I say,” Jekanowski told the Gazette in 2016.

He’s always ready to offer reassurance to children who need to know if they’re on the nice or naughty list.

“One of my favorites is ‘you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to try your very best,’” he said.

He was pleasantly surprised to be given the James Brennan Award last year by the Northampton St. Patrick’s Association. The award is given every year to a member of the association who “has actively committed their time and efforts in helping the association carry out its goals.” The association cited Jekanowski’s role as Santa Claus and his court work as reasons behind the award.

“I’m kind of shocked at receiving this award, to be honest,” Jekanowski, who is of Polish descent, said at the time. “I’m extremely honored and humbled to receive it. I had no idea it was coming.”