Pictured above: Rosemary Bucci | Photo by: Syracuse University College of Law-New York Heritage Digital Collections
Before Rosemary Bucci passed away in July 2022, she named the Central New York Community Foundation the recipient of over $1.5 Million bequest to create the Bucci-Deserio Family Foundation. The legacy fund will support charitable organizations in the Village of Baldwinsville and Towns of Van Buren and Lysander.
At first glance, Rosemary Bucci, was a successful lawyer and an active member of many leadership organizations. But the depth of her character went far beyond her love for her law career and community.
Born and raised in Baldwinsville, NY as a daughter of a mechanic, Rosemary Bucci was a woman who was fiercely committed to turning her community into a place where everyone has an equal opportunity to work, play and thrive.
Her dedication extended beyond words—she actively shaped her community through leadership and service, devoting much of her free time to volunteering and sitting on the boards of organizations like CNY Waterways, The Baldwinsville Community Scholarship Foundation, Syracuse Home Association Board, Zonta Club of Syracuse, McHarrie Town Board, Baldwinsville Center for the Arts and the Onondaga County Bar Association.
In addition, Bucci devoted 30 years of service to the Baldwinsville Rotary Club, and in 1994, became the first woman president after Rotary International began allowing women to join the organization in 1989. She also sponsored The Baldwinsville Rotary Clubs’ Anything That Floats contest, as part of Seneca River Days, for many years.
“Rosemary was a long time and vibrant member of our club and, despite her busy work schedule, she managed to carve out time to help with many of the events we put on. I specifically remember that she was a wonderful duck ticket salesperson! She also attended and participated in our weekly meetings, making our speakers feel welcome. She is missed,” said Ann Smiley, Past Baldwinsville Rotary President and current member.
Bucci’s commitment to learning and professional growth was evident early on. After graduating from Baldwinsville Academy, she earned a scholarship to attend Central City Business Institute, where she pursued an associate’s degree in occupational studies. The two-year business college in downtown Syracuse offered degree programs in accounting, business management, court reporting, legal administrative studies and more, before closing in the late 1990s.
Subsequently, a few years of clerical work at a law firm in Baldwinsville sparked her interest in pursuing a law degree of her own. She was admitted to Syracuse University College of Law shortly thereafter in the early 1960’s—a significant achievement at a time when many prestigious institutions still excluded women.
It was there, during her time at Syracuse University, that she was admitted to the Justinian Honorary Law Society and worked as the editor in chief of Syracuse University’s Law School Review. Additionally, she was active in the community safety seminar, designed to help make law enforcement aware of changes in the law. She graduated with honors in 1964.
But Bucci’s past was not without obstacles. Women had long faced discrimination in education and the workplace. It wasn’t until June 23, 1972 that Congress passed Title IX of the Education Amendments, barring gender discrimination in education programs and activities offered by entities receiving federal financial assistance. Its protections would help ensure equal access and treatment for women and girls, but those barriers persisted throughout Bucci’s education and the early years of her career.
As one of only two women in her graduating law class, she faced scrutiny and was often picked on. In an interview with the Syracuse University College of Law, she stated, “Some people didn’t take me too seriously. They said I was there to find a husband, or that someday I would be their secretary.” The teasing only lasted until grades were released—when she had proven herself as one of the top students in her class.
Soon after joining the university, Bucci met June Lockwood, a woman studying law in the class above her. The two quickly became close friends and it was not long before both women set up shop—opening a law firm in 1963 just before Bucci’s admittance to the bar in 1964. The pair worked alongside one another as partners for 42 years.
A fellow student of hers from law school once said, “In the 70s, there weren’t many women lawyers, period. But Rosemary, she was dedicated, hardworking and a very well respected lawyer in the community.”
And he was right. It was evident that Bucci was a strong advocate for her clients, earning widespread respect for her dedication and expertise. From the beginning of her career, she was dedicated to advocating for women’s rights, taking on divorce cases that she noted were painfully unfair to women. “Mothers who had stayed home to raise children had no financial resources to seek legal help in a divorce,” she once said. “I could not sit back and see this happen.”
Her achievements were numerous and widely recognized throughout her career. In 1993, Bucci was awarded Woman of the Year for Community Service by the Chamber of Commerce, and later celebrated the milestone of 50 years of admittance to the Bar.
Bucci worked hard her entire life to accumulate her wealth to ensure she could leave behind a legacy that would foster the continuation of her impact beyond her lifetime. When she passed away in 2022, her will directed a bequest to the Community Foundation to create the Bucci-Deserio Family Foundation. The legacy fund supports charitable organizations in the Village of Baldwinsville and the Towns of Van Buren and Lysander—the place Rosemary Bucci held closest to her heart.
“The power of this gift takes the generosity of amazing people like Rosemary and ensures that her charitable wishes persevere through generations,” said Thomas Griffith, vice president of development of the Community Foundation.
The nature of Bucci’s bequest underscores the profound impact individuals can have on places they call home, in life and as part of a lasting legacy. Like so many others, this gift will provide enduring and transformative support for future generations in the community of Baldwinsville and beyond.
