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
Robert “Tis” LeRoy Tisdell, Sr. – A Syracuse native, Mr. Tisdell practiced law for 45 years in his hometown with the firm bearing his name, Tisdell, Moore & Walter. He was a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, Syracuse University, and the Syracuse University College of Law. Surrounded by the love of his wife of 46 years Anna and his children, Mr. Tisdell passed away on December 25, 2021.
October
Anthony J. DiCaprio, Jr. – Considered a “lawyer’s lawyer,” Mr. DiCaprio served the Solvay community as both its school system’s counsel, but also as the Village Attorney. He was a proud graduate of Le Moyne College and the Syracuse University College of Law. He was 92 years old when he died on October 24, 2021.
September
Francis E. “Frank” Hunt, Jr. – A Syracuse University undergraduate, Mr. Hunt continued onto its law school having graduated in the early 80s and maintained a practice in Syracuse for nearly four decades. Mr. Hunt was an avid Boston Red Sox fan traveling far and wide to take in games with his children. He leaves behind his wife Linda, four children, four grandsons, and several siblings and nieces. His death occurred on September 24, 2021.
Charles S. McGuire – Mr. McGuire practiced law in Syracuse with two of his children. He was a Chicago Cubs fan, and loved classical music. He served his country in the U.S. Army, attending the U.S. Naval Academy and New York University studying engineering. He was an engineer at the Polaroid Corporation when he received his juris doctorate in 1963 from Suffolk University Law School. He enjoyed hosting friends and family at his winter home in the Cayman Islands and had 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He died on September 8, 2021.
August
Edward McQuat – Mr. McQuat passed away in Georgia where he practiced law. He was 62. Ed was a 1981 graduate of St. John’s University and a 1985 graduate Syracuse University School of Law. He worked at Hiscock Legal Aid from 1985 through 1988. Ed worked at the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office from 1988 through 2003. While at the DA’s Office, Ed was assigned to the narcotics bureau. He is remembered for his passion for life, dedication to his job and to the Syracuse community, love for his family and great sense of humor. He leaves behind a wife and three children.
Richard D. Priest – Mr. Priest will be remembered for his renowned 50-year career as a criminal law practitioner in the City of Syracuse, his hometown. He served his country in the Korean War as a member of the United States Marine Corps and graduated from the University of Notre Dame and Georgetown Law School. He was a NY Yankees fan and played golf at Bellevue Country Club his entire life. He was the father of 8 children, grandfather to 17, and Great Grandpa to 1. He died on August 13, 2021.
June
Alan J. Goldberg – A longtime litigator, Mr. Goldberg concluded his career as partner at Sugarman Law Firm. He was named as the 1996 OCBA Distinguished Lawyer and received both his undergraduate and juris doctorate from Syracuse University. He was an avid outdoorsman who skied into his mid-80s. Mr. Goldberg died on June 24, 2021.
May
Roy W. Helmetag – Mr. Helmetag was a Chicago, Illinois native, but made Central New York his home upon his graduation from the Syracuse University College of Law. He practiced law in both Oswego and Liverpool, New York. He was fluent in French, played guitar, and loved SU sports. He died on May 30, 2021.
Thomas Victor Dadey, Sr. – Mr. Dadey served his community as the 1985 Onondaga County Bar Association President, this honor paled, of course, to his proud military service to his country from 1956 to 1959 in the United States Air Force. He received both his undergraduate degree and juris doctorate from Syracuse University. He died on May 28, 2021.
Elizabeth “Liz” McGinty – Ms. McGinty studied law in night school as a St. John’s University Law School student and was admitted to practice in 1968; her day job was as an IRS Revenue Officer. She met her husband Jim at St. John’s and the couple moved to Syracuse in the early 70s where they raised their daughters, cultivated abiding friendships, and enjoyed successful legal careers. Ms. McGinty died on May 12, 2021.
Mark W. Wasmund – A longtime member of the Onondaga County Bar Association, Mr. Wasmund will be remembered for his steadfast service to the bar association in his leadership of the Part 137 Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Resolution Program. Drawing from a deep well of energy and a personal commitment to make his community better, he made service to others a priority. He died on May 11, 2021.
April
Carlton B. Laidlaw Jr. – A native Syracusan, Mr. Laidlaw was an avid runner throughout his life and was a founding member of the Syracuse Track Club. He served in the Navy retiring as Lt. Commander and attended Syracuse University and American University Law School. He died on April 12, 2021.
Robert “Bob” Coulter – After serving his country as a Navy pilot, Mr. Coulter attended Syracuse University and graduated from the Syracuse University College of Law. He was an accomplished litigator, Town of Lysander Justice and practiced in Syracuse from 1953 to 2011, when her retired to Florida, where he passed on Friday, April 9, 2021.
March
Hon. Jack Schultz – A Town of DeWitt Justice for 35 years, Judge Schultz was honored by the town when it named the courtroom over which his presided in his name, upon retirement. Judge Schultz was a Brooklyn native and earned both his undergraduate and juris doctorate degrees from Syracuse University. He died on March 25, 2021.
H. Douglas Barclay – Mr. Barclay is a Central New York native, having grown up in Pulaski, where he was the 7th generation to reside on his family’s farm. He served his country not only in the U.S. Army (1955-57), but in the foreign service as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador (2003-06) as designated by President George W. Bush. Additionally, Mr. Barclay served in the New York State Senate from 1964 to 1984. A 1961 graduate of the Syracuse University College of Law, Mr. Barclay practiced law for 40 years, first with Hiscock, Cowie, Bruce, Lee & Mawhinney, the predecessor of one of one of the region’s most successful law firms, Barclay Damon, LLP. Mr. Barclay died at home on March 14, 2021.
January
Eleanor Theodore – A Syracuse native, Ms. Theodore earned two degrees at Syracuse University and was the only woman graduate of the Syracuse University College of Law, Class of 1952. She practiced law for 50 years and was, for 36 years, Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Syracuse. She died on January 15, 2021.
John Michael Caster – As a lawyer, Mr. Caster served those most in need by working with the Legal Services of Central New York. A Marcellus resident, he was an ardent supporter of community organizations such as the local chapter of Masons. He was a graduate of the Syracuse University College of Law. He passed on January 4, 2021.