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Westchester Lawyer Runs NYC Marathon In Memory Of New Rochelle Native

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- Lydia S. Antoncic will be running in the TCS New York City Marathon for the Marfan Foundation in memory of her ex-husband Rich Ciacci, a former New Rochelle native, raising almost $3,000 to benefit the charity.

Lydia S. Antoncic, a Westchester-based attorney, will be running in memory of her ex-husband and New Rochelle native Rich Ciacci.

Lydia S. Antoncic, a Westchester-based attorney, will be running in memory of her ex-husband and New Rochelle native Rich Ciacci.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Rich Ciacci and his young son, who is now 16 years old.

Rich Ciacci and his young son, who is now 16 years old.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Antoncic will be joining Team Victory on Sunday, Nov. 2 to participate in one of the most popular races in the world.

Antoncic is an experienced litigator for more than 20 years, offering a uniquely personalized approach to all of her family and matrimonial law clients. She also represents children in neglect, custody, and other family court proceedings, which Lydia finds to be the most rewarding.

In addition to her caseload, Antoncic has been training for the past 16 weeks for the marathon in memory of Rich Ciacci, who found out he had Marfan’s syndrome just five months after they got married and graduated law school together in 1994.

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” said Antoncic. “Our whole world changed – we found out that Rich would have limitations, frequent blood checks and the most devastating, there was a 50 percent chance it would be passed onto their child.”

After much research, Antoncic learned that there was an experimental IVF procedure where they could  test their embryos for Marfan’s Syndrome and only pass on the ones that did not carry those genes. 

Together, Antoncic and Ciacci were able to have a healthy baby boy, who is now 16 years old. Although they divorced when he was 2 years old, they remained best friends.

Ciacci died of Marfan’s in Nov. 2011. 

“I am honored to run this race in Rich’s memory, and I am incredibly moved by donations, support and expressions of love from those who knew him,” Antoncic adds.

Many individuals from the local community have also decided to donate, including New Rochelle-born county Legislator Jim Maisano, who knew Ciacci growing up.

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