The Spirit of Life & Spencer Trask Memorial after the 2015 restoration. Inset, Skip Scirocco and Samantha Bosshart kicking-off the start of work in 2014.

Being born and raised in Saratoga Springs, Skip had a strong appreciation for our city’s history. This was the first of many preservation projects that the City of Saratoga Springs would be recognized for under his leadership.  

It was not until concerned citizens approached the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation about the poor condition of the white pine trees that served as the backdrop to the Spirit of Life & Spencer Trask Memorial in Congress Park that I got to know Skip. People feared that the trees might fall in a storm and irreparably damage the bronze sculpture that serves as the unofficial symbol of our city. In 2011, I approached the then Mayor, Scott Johnson, and Skip about establishing a formal partnership to restore the Spirit of Life & Spencer Trask Memorial. The Foundation and the City would raise the necessary funds and together oversee the project to restore the locally and nationally significant memorial. 

Sculptor Daniel Chester French and architect Henry Bacon, who would later become most well known for their collaboration of the Lincoln Memorial, were hired by Katrina Trask and George Foster Peabody to design a memorial to recognize Spencer Trask’s contributions to preserving the spring waters of Saratoga Springs after his tragic death in a train accident. In 1915, Walter P. Butler accepted the Memorial on behalf of the city as one of his first public acts as the first mayor of the newly incorporated City of Saratoga Springs. 

A committee was formed that regularly met with Skip and his staff at the time, Donna Buckley and Debbie LaBreche, to undertake the project. The initial scope was only focused on the bronze sculpture, the architectural surround, and immediate landscaping. However, as more was learned about Charles Leavitt’s original landscape design, encompassing the entire northwest quadrant of Congress Park, the scope and budget for the project grew exponentially – which at first, I do not believe Skip was particularly excited about. The final project included not only the original scope of work  – removal of the white pines that had reached the end of their life cycle and planting of new pines, replacing the overgrown arborvitae along the reflecting pool, but also the restoration of the rambling stone creek, landscaping surrounding the pond, adding plantings along the south side of Saratoga Arts, replacing the asphalt walkways with more appropriate concrete sidewalks that were ADA compliant, and installing eight benches and ten light fixtures.  

Skip, who got his nickname because he was born on leap year, loved to cruise around in his 1957 Ford Thunderbird with his wife Corinne.

In the early evenings, I regularly checked in on the progress of the project while I was walking my dog and that was when I would often see him smiling with his wife Corinne as they cruised through Congress Park in their yellow 1957 Thunderbird convertible. It was these moments that I got to know him better. “He always liked to drive around to check on things throughout the city,” shared Corinne. 

A fond memory of the project we shared was the two of us seeing the Spirit of Life wrapped head to toe in protective bubble wrap. A less fond memory was discovering the thousands of bricks from the former Congress Hotel that lay buried and needed to be removed to trench the electrical wiring for the light fixtures. There were also moments of panic as to whether the project would be completed on time - June 26, 2015, the 100th anniversary of the original dedication, especially as new sod was being rolled out just hours before the ceremony.  It was at the rededication ceremony that we both had the joy of seeing more than 500 people come out to celebrate and spontaneously sing “Happy Birthday” to our Spirit of Life.  

It was not until after the project was complete that we both saw the tremendous impact of the project - a relatively unused, overgrown, dark part of the park was now full of activity throughout the seasons.  It is the place of community gatherings, picnics, engagements, weddings, and family photos of residents and visitors, as well as a place for quiet inspiration and contemplation.  

Not long after seeing that transformation, Skip began the restoration of the 1922 Katrina Trask Memorial Gateway. “On his own initiative he took on that restoration and carried through the lengthy project after the conditions were discovered to be much worse than expected,” shared Rumara Jewett, a local artist who has done extensive research about Katrina and Spencer Trask. “The Commissioner said ‘I want the rededication ceremony to be just like the original’ so we studied the historical record to re-create as much as possible of the original November 15 heartfelt dedication in the snow.” 

Skip with his staff in front of Deer Park Spring following its restoration.
He was proud of his work at City Hall and his efforts to restore the Civil War monument in Congress Park. 

“He loved Congress Park and the Canfield Casino,” shared Corinne, his wife of 54 years. Under his leadership, many projects were completed at the Canfield Casino.  The front entrance of the building was enhanced – the stairs were restored; the dogs, reproductions based on the originals in the Saratoga Springs History Museum, returned; and brick sidewalks with radiant heating were installed.  In addition, significant structural repairs were made, the skylights and laylights in the ballroom were restored, the plaster ceilings were repaired, the wood floors were refinished, and lighting and sound equipment were greatly improved.  

In Congress Park, Skip was also responsible for the restoration of the Deer Park Spring and the continued maintenance of the historic, hand-carved Marcus Illion horses of the Carousel. Unfortunately, he was often faced with acts of vandalism in the park – the “Day” and “Night” urns, the Morrissey Fountain, and the Civil War monument in honor of the 77th Infantry Regiment. Each time he ensured that they were restored.  

Other projects he oversaw included the restoration of High Rock Spring and the roof of the City Landmark Drink Hall. “Commissioner Scirocco was very committed to the City's preservation and his instincts steered many challenging projects to success. You would often find him in the midst of a dusty project site asking questions and offering helpful insights,” shared Debbie LaBreche, City Engineer.  

Skip was also proud of the 1871 City Hall renovation that took place after the lightning strike in 2018.  He saw it as an opportunity to improve the entire building, a Local Landmark.  Working with Mike Veitch, Business Manager for the Department of Public Works, spaces were reconfigured; handicap accessibility was improved; electrical wiring and plumbing were updated; and central air conditioning was installed –removing unattractive window air conditioners.  The hall of the first floor and Music Hall received appropriate period treatments, making for more welcoming spaces. 

Unfortunately, due to Covid the completion of City Hall was not publicly celebrated as Skip had hoped.  To mark the 150th anniversary of City Hall, we requested that he host a tour of the building for Foundation members in December 2021. 
He was surprised by the overwhelming response to the tour. I remember him smiling ear to ear as he gave the tour and shared about the project.  Sadly, this turned out to be the last time I saw Skip. He passed away on April 6, 2022.   

Skip made a lasting impact by preserving the historic architecture and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs for future generations. Deservedly, Skip was posthumously inducted into the Saratoga Springs History Museum Hall of Fame in October 2022. I was honored to be asked to speak at the induction ceremony and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him.  

To see a video of all the projects he undertook, please visit the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s YouTube channel. 

Middle: In 2020, Samantha giving Skip a Preservation Recognition Award for the restoration of the Katrina Trask Memorial Gateway.
Right: The ballroom of the Canfield Casino. Photos provided by the City of Saratoga Springs.