- Ballston Spa Living

Videos by Antonio Bucca capture poignant moments
that unfolded on day when historic factory bell tolled
25 times to honor village teen who vanished in 1998

INTRODUCTION BY ANN HAUPRICH

In addition to Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi II, Village Clerk Teri O’Connor and former longtime Mayor John Romano, a tremendous debt of gratitude is owed to Michael DeFilippo and Bob Clous, who valiantly ventured up to the frigid bell tower shortly after Groundhog Day to ensure the long silent relic could still ding and dong with distinction.

Thanks to splendid widespread print and broadcast media coverage, legions of upstate New Yorkers know for whom the bell in the tower of an historic factory at the corner of Prospect Street and Milton Avenue in Ballston Spa tolled 25 times commencing at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

But what precious few knew as the sun was setting on the 25^th anniversary of the March 2, 1998 disappearance of BSHS Class of 1996 graduate Suzanne Gloria Lyall was that a humble hometown hero named Antonio Bucca was volunteering his professional photography and videography skills to ensure the sights and sounds of the occasion would be preserved for posterity. (To read an in-depth tribute to Tony, who graduated from BSHS in 1971, kindly click here: https://ballstonspaliving.com/tony-bucca/.)

In the meantime, BSHS Class of 1981 alum Mary Hauprich Reilly began putting her website design talents to use creating the exquisite multi-media presentation that accompanies these introductory passages.

The full story of what transpired behind-the-scenes leading up to the commemorative bell ringing that was inspired by a 1998 “penny from Heaven” that I’d happened upon several weeks earlier will be shared another time. What matters most is how many caring souls responded to subsequent appeals for assistance in making the dream of an event that truly resonated with remembrance and hope a reality.

In addition to Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi II, Village Clerk Teri O’Connor and former longtime Mayor John Romano, a tremendous debt of gratitude is owed to Michael DeFilippo and Bob Clous, who valiantly ventured up to the frigid bell tower shortly after Groundhog Day to ensure the long silent relic could still ding and dong with distinction. (Tony’s video of the official tolling a month later, precisely orchestrated so the bell would ring consecutively 25 times – once for each year since Suzanne vanished without a trace from her college campus– also includes images of Bob’s wife Patty.)

Other faces and voices masterfully captured by Tony’s digital devices on that date included NYS Senator Jim Tedisco, who presented Suzanne’s widowed mother Mary with a framed keepsake, and Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen. Standing beside Mrs. Lyall during the news conference that took place in the factory’s courtyard were Suzanne’s older siblings, Sandra and Steven– both of whom journeyed many miles to join their mom in recalling cherished memories of the family’s youngest member. The eloquence with which all interviewed expressed themselves was often heart-rending. It is a priceless gift to present to future generations that Tony exceeded all expectations in documenting the history-in-the-making occasion as it gently unfolded in real time.

Because a health issue prevented me from venturing downtown at 5 p.m. on March 2, I was initially sad, but drew consolation when my retired nurse sister Pamela offered to observe a moment of silence with me on her Malta Avenue porch. It was then that I snapped the picture of Pamela’s gloved hands holding candles of hope as the factory bell tolled in the distance.

Comfort and joy filled my heart upon receiving an email from Tony soon thereafter in which the images showcased in this multi-media presentation were attached along with a message of encouragement that they be shared far and wide. I cannot imagine a more divine ending for a story that began with the discovery of a 1998 penny from Heaven!