Villacci a trailblazer

East Rockaway Village Trustee Irene V. Villacci was one of 19 women who were awarded with the Nassau County Legislature’s “Trailblazer/Women of Distinction” award by Legislator Francis X. Becker on Mar. 22 at the offices in Mineola.

“I was incredibly overwhelmed to receive such an honor,” said Villacci. “Receiving the award ... and standing before our County Legislature to accept [it] was one of the great moments of my life.”I am extremely grateful to Legislator Becker for his recognition of me, his lifelong friendship, and for the warm hospitality that he and his assistant showed to my family and guests who attended the ceremony.”

“I have know Irene for almost 25 years,” said Becker, who presented Villacci with her award. “She is an outstanding attorney who is also deeply committed to her community. She gives of herself in so many ways — from serving as a trustee of the Village of East Rockaway to being a song leader at her church, St. Raymond’s.”

Villacci was elected as a trustee of the Village of East Rockaway in the spring of 2005, and re-elected in 2009. Currently, she serves as the liaison to the department of Public Works, the Ethics Board, the Library Board, the Tree Advisory Committee, the Houses of Worship, the Special Events Committee and the CATV Committee. She is also a member of the Village’s Recodification and Negotiations Committees. Trustee Villacci recently began her term as a Vice President of the Village Foundation of East Rockaway. She has resided in East Rockaway since 2000, but her love for the village began when she was a child.

As an active member of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, she held every officer position, including President from 2003-2004. During that year, she co-founded the chapter’s pro bono clinic, now a regular monthly legal clinic held at the Mary Brennan INN in Hempstead. Since 2000, Villacci has been a member of the Advisory Council to Nassau-Suffolk Law Services, Inc., and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the New York State Bar Association, and the Nassau County Bar Association.

Villacci has been an attorney for twenty years, and established her own law practice in Rockville Centre in 2007.  Her practice concentrates in the areas of elder law, trusts and estates, probate, guardianships, and real estate. She is the Corresponding Secretary-Elect of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York. She is a lifelong parishioner of St. Raymond Church in East Rockaway.

“I have enjoyed immensely working with various committees and departments of the village on various projects, and on new laws that have made life in East Rockaway that much more enjoyable,” she said. “I look forward to continuing the work that our current administration has begun, and especially to continue my work with the residents.”  

“She is a true trailblazer and a wonderful role model for young woman,” Becker said.

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