Buczko, Thaddeus M.

Thaddeus M. Buczko, born Feb. 23, 1926 is a judge, lawyer and a politician who served as Salem city councilor, member of the Mass. House of Representatives (1959-64) and as Massachusetts Auditor(1964-1981). Additionally from 1981 to 1996 Buczko served as a Justice of the Essex County Probate and Family Court.

Buczko graduated from Norwich University in 1947. A collection of records and photographs pertaining to Thaddeus Buczko's World War II service aboard the U.S.S. Bearss can be found at Norwich's University Archives and Special Collections in the Kreitzberg Library. He received both a Meritorious Service Medal in 1975, and the Legion of Merit (1979) from the U.S. Army

Buczko received his law degree at Boston University Law School in 1951.

Buczko served as state representative from 1958 until 1964. Though appointed Salem Postmaster in 1964, he only served a few months. On the death of state auditor Thomas J. Buckley, the governor appointed Buczko to serve as interim and then he won the the post outright soon after. In 1980, Gov. Edward King appointed Buczko to serve as an associate justice of the Essex County Probate and Family court. He served as judge until his retirement.

Buczko retired in 1996, at the obligatory age of 70. Later, he served on many civic boards and as trustee of Salem Savings Bank and the Peabody Essex Museum.

Buczko never married but with six siblings had a large extended family of nieces and nephews who looked after him in later years.

Buczko was honored at the annual Kosciuszko Foundation luncheon on March 23, 2013. He was chosen as their Distinguished Polish American for 2013.

Following its renovation, the Essex County Probate and Family Court on Federal Street will be renamed for retired judge Thaddeus M. Buczko. It's re-opening was March 6, 2017.

Thaddeus Buczko passed away at the age of 95 on March 8, 2021, after a lifetime of service.

See Also

• Vertical File in Salem Collection - Buczko, Thaddeus

• Thaddeus M. Buczko Famous Polish figures

• Thaddeus Buczko papers, 1945, 1979-1992 Norwich University Archives

• Thaddeus Buczko Salem State archives (photos)

• "A grand tribute: renovated courthouse re-dedicated in honor of longtime judge" Salem News, April 28, 2017, p. 1

• The Polish Community of Salem ed. by E. Murphy and F. Wilczenski

• "Thaddeus "Ted" Buczko, retired judge, state auditor dies at 95 after a lifetime of service" Salem News, March 9, 2021, p.?