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Portrait unveiling held for former appellate Judge Vukovich
TRACEY BLAIR
Legal News Reporter
Published: April 30, 2015
With his usual quick wit, Joseph J. Vukovich walked into a packed room at the 7th District Court of Appeals in Youngstown where his portrait unveiling was held.
“I don’t know if you’re here to honor me or just happy to have me leave,” he quipped.
Vukovich, who had been on the appellate court bench since 1997, officially hung up his robe Feb. 8 after deciding not to seek re-election.
But on April 15, he made history after becoming the latest judge to have his portrait hung in the courtroom in which they served.
“It’s a tradition we do when a judge retires,” Presiding 7th District Judge Gene Donofrio said. “We like to honor the past judges for their service and have a reminder of all their wisdom.”
The full-color portrait was commissioned by Youngstown photographer Frank Ocasio.
All four 7th District judges took part in the brief, informal ceremony attended by more than 40 friends, family members and former colleagues of Vukovich’s.
Attorney Andrew Bresko presented Vukovich with a gift certificate to travel from his retirement dinner proceeds. Bresko was emcee at Vukovich’s retirement roast Jan. 10 at Mr. Anthony’s banquet hall in Boardman.
Judge Donofrio called Vukovich a dedicated public servant his whole adult life. Besides his 18 years on the bench, Vukovich served as an infantry squad leader of the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. He was also a Democratic state representative and state senator.
“Even though we’ll miss him walking in the building, we’ll still have a reminder of him now,” Judge Donofrio said of the portrait.
Vukovich said he declined the opportunity to become a visiting judge and instead hopes to spend his retirement traveling to see his sons in Las Vegas and Washington, D.C.
Vukovich added that he’s confident his successor, Judge Carol Ann Robb, will do a great job as the newest 7th District judge.
“I was sad to leave. We were like one big family, and I loved my job,” he added.
Vukovich said it’s an honor to have his likeness displayed in the court like his predecessors.
“But I’m not the one who has to look at it,” he added.