The Onondaga County Bar Association recognizes the dedicated service of its members. We’re very sorry to see any member of the law community pass away and would like to offer our condolences to their families, colleagues, clients and friends.
December
David B. Garwood, was a lifelong resident of Manlius, NY and where, for more than 30 years, he served as a firefighter for his local fire department. He was an attorney at the Pinsky Law Group and died unexpectedly at the age of 59 while at work on December 29, 2020.
Richard J. Sardano, was an attorney who practiced in the Syracuse area for more than 50 years. He welcomed clients in his Liverpool office. He died from complications due to COVID-19 at the age of 70. He died on December 15, 2020.
November
William F. Lynn, in his early career, was a criminal defense attorney in Syracuse before becoming a personal injury attorney and joining with his children Martin and Patricia in building the Lynn Law Firm, with offices in Syracuse and Skaneateles. It was in Skaneateles, walking to his office for a day of work that Mr. Lynn, 86, was hit by a vehicle. He passed away on November 11, 2020.
Hon. Dennis DeStefano was a Syracuse native who received his undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and his juris doctorate from the Western New England College of Law. For many years he served as the Village of Solvay Justice. His death occurred on November 7, 2020.
Peter E. Herzog emigrated to the U.S. in 1950. He graduated from the Syracuse University College of Law in 1955 and received a Master of Law degree from the Columbia Law School in 1956. From 1958 to 1995, he was a SUCOL faculty member sharing his knowledge and expertise not only in Syracuse, but as a guest lecturer in several European cities. He died on November 4, 2020.
October
Paul J. Ginnelly was a graduate of Solvay High School, Syracuse University and Syracuse College of Law. He served his country as a navigator in the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of Captain. Paul was the original attorney in the New York Screener Program, now known as Hiscock Legal Aid Society. He was the Principal Attorney for the NYS Grievance Committee for 22 years. He died on October 29, 2020.
Mary Lou Crowley was dedicated to the Syracuse legal community and is remembered for her 54 years of service as a confidential law clerk for several judges. She graduated at the top of her class in 1951 from the Syracuse University College of Law. She was named the 2001 Distinguished Lawyer by her OCBA colleagues. She died on October 24, 2020.
March
Carolyn Chini was a member of the Syracuse University College of Law Class of 1951, where she was one of three women graduates. She practiced law in Syracuse for more than 25 years at Chini & Chini, a law firm she established with her husband Victor, also an attorney. She was 95 years of age at the time of her death on March 9, 2020.
February
Charles Edwards entered World War II at the age of 17 and also served in the Korean War, as a Marine. After his military service he became a schoolteacher and then a lawyer at the age of 34, receiving his juris doctorate from Syracuse University. He served as the Town of Manlius Justice for 31 years. Surrounded by those who loved him, he died on February 23, 2020.
Robert L. Riley was known to many in the legal community as “Louie.” He left behind two sons, Ryan and Sean, and three grandchildren. He died on February 21, 2020.
Joseph Siracusa An avid boatsman, golfer, and poker player Mr. Siracusa also taught Criminal Justice at the Onondaga Community College. He was a 1960 graduate of the Syracuse University College of Law and his law practice was centered in Syracuse. He died on February 14, 2020.
James J. O’Connell became a lawyer later in life after first being a Catholic priest. Mr. O’Connell graduated from the Syracuse University College of Law and, for the entirety of his legal career, practiced at the firm of O’Hara, O’Connell & Ciotoli. He passed at his home in Spafford, New York on February 13, 2020.
Stanley G. Germain practiced law in Syracuse, his hometown, for more than 50 years. He was a member of the first graduating class of Le Moyne College and received his law degree from Syracuse University. He was a founding partner, along with his brother Paul, of the Germain and Germain law firm. Date of death: February 6, 2020.
January
William Bulsiewicz A deeply devout person, Mr. Bulsiewicz committed much of his volunteer efforts in aid to the Holy Family Orphanage in Kenya. He greatly enjoyed the outdoors and was an attorney with the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency. He died on January 21, 2020.
Joseph Bollettieri was an attorney in private practice in Syracuse. He received his juris doctorate from the Syracuse University College of Law and his undergraduate degree from Utica College. He was 73 years of age when he passed on January 7, 2020.