Stephen Bucci Obituary

Stephen Bucci HOLLYWOOD, FL - Stephen Edward Peter Bucci, son of Francis M. Levy and Joseph E. Bucci, entered into eternal peace on September 6, 2025, in Charleston, South Carolina's Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. He leaves behind his loving wife of 57 years, Gladys "Gigi" Elizabeth Claire Bucci; and his three children, Stephane Nicole Bucci-Allen, Stephen Andrew Bucci, and Marissa Marie Epps. He is also survived by his brother, Joseph G. Bucci and his family. Additionally, he leaves behind a community of family and friends that extends up and down the East Coast from Dansville and Retsof, New York, where he was born on July 24th, 1944, to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where he raised his family and was a passionate and prominent member of the community as proprietor and operator of Tony's Italian restaurant for over 20 years, to Hollywood, Florida, where he continued to be a restaurateur, owning and operating multiple beachfront venues, namely Bu's on the Beach in Hollywood, FL, and Bu's on the Bay in South Beach, FL. He retired in 2009 but remained active in community services. In 1962, Stephen Edward graduated from York Central High School, where he was the only athlete, to date, to receive a Golden Letter for all three sports: football, basketball, and baseball. He received the All-County Championship Award in Basketball, resulting in a scholarship to play basketball at the University of Tampa, Florida. In 1996, he was inducted into the York Central High School Hall of Fame. In 1964, duty called, and Stephen Edward enrolled in the Armed Forces, receiving an honorable discharge for his services during the Vietnam War. However, his most outstanding achievement was that of a dedicated and loving father and husband. No prior calling hours. His Funeral mass will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 10 AM at St. Lucy's Church in Retsof with Father John Hayes officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Geneseo. The family humbly requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warriors Foundation, or the non-profit organization, The Friends of the Fischer House, associated with the Charleston or the Miami VA locations. The Fischer House Foundation's mission is to provide veteran families free lodging, meals, transportation, and more - so they can stay together and focus on healing during medical treatment. The Bucci family is eternally grateful for their caring hospitality and generosity during Stephen Edward's hospitalization and passing. May he rest in eternal peace. To share a memory with the family or leave a condolence, please visit Rector-HicksFuneralHome.com.