Lucretia (Romano) Buccolo

UTICA – Ms. Lucretia Romano Buccolo of Sylvan Beach, NY, loving mother and aunt, passed away at age 84 on Sunday September 19, 2021.

Born in Utica on February 10, 1937, Lucretia was the daughter of the late Frank M. and Ella (Centolella) Romano.  She was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School/Class of 1954.  She received her Bachelor in Arts from Manhattanville College in 1958, a MS in Counseling from Syracuse University and a CAS in Educational Administration from SUNY Cortland.

First a dedicated mother, Lucretia was a fiercely proud Utican, a passionate Democrat and an early “career woman.”  After receiving her undergraduate degree, Lucretia spent five years as an interviewer and counselor with the New York State Department of Labor.  For the next 12 years Lucretia went on to be a teacher, focusing mostly on reading in various primary and secondary school roles.  After receiving her MS in counseling, she switched gears and had counseling roles at SUNY and the Holland Patent school system.

In 1984, having received her CAS in Educational Administration, Lucretia found her favorite career working for the NYS Department of Corrections.  Starting as a teacher and eventually rising to the title of Education Supervisor (ie. Principal), she worked at NYS correctional facilities including the maximum-security facility at Great Meadow and the medium-security facilities at Adirondack and Oneida.  She always felt at ease working in the prisons and was integral in building important educational programs.

Lucretia’s other passion was politics. She served as a committeeperson for the Democratic Committee, Town of New Hartford for over 30 years and was Chairman of the Democratic Committee for the Town of Vienna for nine years.  She ran for Democratic Legislator for the Town of New Hartford in 1981.  She was also the President of the Democratic Women’s Club for two years and Chaired the Millennium Woman Fashion Show.

Despite a grueling schedule working full time and pursuing two advanced degrees, Lucretia maintained her role as a dedicated Italian American mother and homemaker.  She often traveled to the West Coast to see her son David and even drove out to California one year in order to tour the country.  Lucretia noted a highlight of the trip was driving over independence pass in Colorado.

In 2002, Lucretia retired to a home she had built on the shores of Oneida Lake at Sylvan Beach.  She loved living at the beach and always lived there through the winter.  She was active in local politics and in her church community.

Lucretia is survived by her beloved son David Jr. of Garden City, Idaho.  She also leaves her sister-in-law Jackie Romano, her nephews Kenneth (Christine), of Rochester, NY, Paul (Karen), of Sauquoit, NY, and niece Linda Lubey (Stephen), of New Hartford, NY; six grand-nieces and nephews, Caprie and Kenny Romano, Kelsey and Sam Romano, and Reed and Matthew Lubey.  She also leaves her Aunt Gloria (Centolella) DiMare of CA, many cousins and close friends.  She remained lifelong friends with her ex-husband David Buccolo Sr. of Tucson, AZ.

Lucretia was predeceased by her brother David F. Romano, her parents, and her aunts and uncles, Mary Romano, Christina Romano, Thomas Romano, Rose Gigliotti, Raymond Centolella, and Elvera Roefaro.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 12:00 Noon in St. Anthony/St. Agnes Church.  Private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In her memory, please consider an act of kindness for someone in need or donations to your charity of choice.