Obituary of Joseph Robert Bucci

Joseph Robert Bucci January 17, 1930 – March 11, 2023 Our beloved Joe, Dad, Grandpa, and Poppy passed away on March 11, 2023 in Canandaigua, NY, at age 93. Theresa, his wife of 60+ years, was by his side. Joe was born in Monessen, PA, the fourth of seven children. His parents were Giuseppe (Joseph) Bucci and Vincenza (Jennie) Faraci. In high school Joe was known for his beautiful tenor voice, slick moves on the dance floor, and a head of wavy dark hair. Joe earned a spot in the Pennsylvania State High School Choir and continued to enjoy music and singing throughout his life. Following high school, Joe attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, but his academic plans were cut short upon his father's unexpected death. He soon joined the U.S. Air Force and served two tours in Korea earning the rank of Staff Sergeant with the 90th Bomber Squadron. Joe was discharged honorably in 1955 and received the following commendations: the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal W/1 Oak Leaf, Air Crew Members Badge, and Good Conduct Medal. Joe rarely talked about his service in Korea but he was a proud veteran. He served as Post Commander of the American Legion in Ontario, NY and arranged for volunteers to visit veterans at the Canandaigua Veterans Hospital. He never missed a Memorial Day service or parade. Just last year, on Memorial Day in Canandaigua, on the eve of moving into a memory care facility, Joe stood with a large contingent of his family to salute the flag as the honor guard paraded by. Following his service in the Air Force, Joe attended Pennsylvania State University on the GI Bill. He was a member of the Omega Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity and graduated with a degree in Education in 1957. In an article that appeared in the fraternity's newspaper in 1956, Joe was described as a 'vet whose main interests lie with photography and music.' He also wrestled with the house intramural team. Joe loved his Penn State experience and was thrilled when his grandchildren Hannah and Nick Bucci attended the university decades later. It was through Penn State that Joe met Theresa Costanzo. A fraternity brother, Don Costanzo, invited Joe to tag along on a trip back home. Don introduced Joe to his sister and six months later on August 11, 1962, they married in Theresa's hometown of Lewis Run, PA. Following their honeymoon, Joe and Theresa moved to Ontario, NY, where Joe secured a teaching position at Wayne Central School District and taught high school English and History. He enjoyed taking students on field trips, advised the drama club, and enthusiastically cheered on the school basketball teams. Joe and Theresa hosted student teachers from Georgia and South Carolina in their home, and they frequently welcomed migrant workers from area farms to join their young family for Sunday dinner. It was also during this time that four of Joe's seven children were born. By the 1970s, he had left teaching to become a successful insurance salesman. He first worked for Security Mutual and then for Massachusetts Mutual. Joe loved taking Sunday drives with the family that included stops at his customers' farms. It was not uncommon for Joe to come home from those visits with baskets of apples and peaches, handfuls of cherries, and fresh milk or eggs. The 1970s also ushered in three additional children and a short career in politics. In 1971, Joe was the first-ever Democrat elected to the Ontario Town Board. His platform included investing in a public sewer system. Joe's name can be still be found among those listed on the waste treatment plant in the Town of Ontario. Joe was also instrumental in helping to raise funds to construct a new Catholic Church in Ontario, now known as St. Mary's of the Lake. Today, his daughter Joanna is a cantor at the church. In 1978, Joe moved his family to Elmira, NY, to open a branch office for his insurance company. This new chapter of life presented challenges and opportunities for Joe and his family. He lost his job and struggled to find meaningful work, but this also made him available to attend his children's many school and sport activities, and help with homework assignments. He was his children's finest karaoke partner, a fierce soccer and track cheerleader, an emotional celebrant at concerts and award ceremonies, and educational coach. As his children began to consider college, Joe threw himself into finding scholarship opportunities for them. He got so good at this that other parents asked for his help. The great joy of Joe's life was his 7 children, 21 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandsons. He regaled his friends with stories of the children's adventures and accomplishments. If there was a crying baby in the house, Joe could comfort them. Family photo albums are full of pictures featuring Joe reading and playing with his children and grandchildren. Every Christmas Eve, even after the children were grown adults, everyone would gather around Joe as he read The Night Before Christmas. Joe spent much of his later years in service to others. He and Theresa shared a strong faith and were very involved in activities at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and the Dominican Monastery in West Elmira, and at Mount Savior Monastery in Pine City. Joe was appointed President of Catholic Charities and, in this capacity, he helped to establish the Community Free Kitchen in Elmira where he and Theresa worked side by side to assist the neediest members of their community. Joe received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Catholic Charities in 2003 for dedicated service and compassionate assistance. Joe and Theresa also volunteered together at the Elmira Correctional Facility's Hospitality House where they would greet and tend to families who were visiting inmates. Finally, no write up about Joe's life would be complete without mentioning his green thumb. Throughout his adult life, Joe happily spent hours tending to his yard and vegetable garden. Even after he and Theresa moved to Canandaigua in 2020, he tended a small garden plot. We miss your pickles, Dad! Joe is survived by his wife Theresa of Canandaigua, NY, and his children: Maria (Al Jenkins) of Canandaigua, NY; Lisa (Jim Ferguson) of Falls Church, VA; Michael (Kim Ball) of Kennett Square, PA; Anne (Juan Arias) of Maplewood, MO; Christina (Jay Rechtweg) of Laurel Hollow, NY; Andrew (Caroline Heffernan) of Rochester, NY; and Joanna (Aaron Johnson) of Ontario, NY. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Maddie and Nora Jenkins; Annie, Jimmy, Meggie, and Josh Ferguson; Hannah (Evan Ulatowski), Nick (Brigid Dass), and Jay Bucci; Sophie (Jaime Medina), Zach, Olivia, and Luke Arias; Tess and Jakob Rechtweg; Bella, Gio, and Alé Bucci; and Anthony, Nathan, and Alexa Johnson; along with two great-grandsons: Vinny Bucci and Teddy Ulatowski. Joe was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Elizabeth Frank and Marie Valente, his brothers Guy and Michael Bucci, brothers-in-law Anthony Frank, Dom Valente, and Jim Cunningham, sister-in-law Helen Bucci, and an infant daughter. Joe is survived by sisters Dolores (Irv) Becken of Ontario, NY, and Joyce Cunningham, of Belle Vernon, PA, along with several nieces and nephews. The family will celebrate Joe's life at a private memorial service in Canandaigua, NY. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory are encouraged. The family suggests these charitable organizations: Alzheimers Association of Rochester and the Finger Lakes, 200 Meridian Centre Blvd, Suite 110, Rochester, NY 14618; Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler Counties, 215 East Church St, Elmira, NY 14901; and Veterans Outreach Center of Rochester, 447 South Ave, Rochester, NY 14620, ATTN: Joan Brandenburg.