Estate of Joan K. Bozer

Joan K. Bozer was a graduate of a junior college. While raising five children, she became engaged in various civic activities. Beginning with the Parent Teachers Association at her children’s Buffalo public school, Joan went on to join and lead the Junior League of Buffalo and engaged in preservation efforts, for example, saving and renovating the Wilcox Mansion on Delaware Avenue.

Her civic involvement led to years of work with and leadership of the League of Women Voters. In response to the government taking land from MLK Park, Joan helped form the “Friends of Olmsted Parks” (now known as the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy) to defend the parks against further encroachments. She also worked to create the National Association of Olmsted Parks.

Ultimately Joan was elected to the Erie County Legislature. In her role as an Erie County Legislature of a Buffalo district, she worked tirelessly on civic matters, including funding for the arts and for the parks. Among her proudest achievements was identifying a new home for the SUNY-Erie campus in downtown Buffalo. Joan spearheaded efforts to have the County of Erie rehabilitate the “Old Post Office,” which had been erected around 1900 and was under threat of demolition.

Joan Served on the Erie County Legislature for twenty years. That time was devoted to improving her community. After leaving the Legislature, she continued her involvement in the preservation of Buffalo cultural and historical assets.