Rosemary Syrakos recently stepped away from a 32-year career in the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office.
And, during the course of her career, she handled all sorts of paperwork, in various capacities.
She joined the staff on Feb. 2, 1990, as a data entry operator in the support services department, before moving through the ranks, over three decades.
She worked as a docket clerk, a civil records clerk, a probate clerk, an ex-parte clerk, a probate specialist, a human resources technician, a compensation benefits specialist, a payroll supervisor, the office’s operations supervisor and, finally, deputy clerk for the Office of Clerk & Comptroller.
“She has worked tirelessly for both of our offices (the clerk’s office and the Pasco County Commission), said Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, during the Pasco County Commission’s Nov. 15 meeting.
The clerk read a resolution of appreciation for Syrakos’ service.
“In the 13 years, Rosemary has led the payroll team, she is estimated to have processed or approved over 429 payrolls, comprised of over 908,000 individual paychecks, and almost $47 million net payroll dollars, paid to county and clerk teammates for their services to the citizens of Pasco County,” the resolution says.
During the course of working in the clerk’s office, she initiated, processed, or approved more than 45,000 financial records, Alvarez-Sowles said.
Her abilities were “unmatched to resolve any and all FRS, 941 tax, W-2, and deferred compensation issues,” the resolution continues.
Her duties required her to dial phone numbers, “now committed to memory for eternity,” and to “remain on hold for hundreds of hours while she corrected thousands of timesheet entries and answered inquiries made by teammates and supervisors alike,” the resolution says.
Syrakos had a deep desire to instill a positive spirit and comradery within her divisions, and helped set the tone by decorating her workspace for every holiday or occasion, the clerk said.
The deputy clerk was known to deliver “one of the best hors d’oeuvres known to Pasco County — with crackers, of course — making her the Queen of Cheeseballs,” the clerk said, with a laugh, remarking, as an aside, that the resolution was written with love.
Syrakos was always willing to take on extra tasks when needed and to work through emergencies, storm situations, a global pandemic and office relocations.
She never forsook her responsibilities and was always willing to share her knowledge — providing a smooth transition to the office, at her departure, Alvarez-Sowles said.
Her retirement day was Nov. 4 and she was honored by the Pasco County Commission on Nov. 15.
Syrakos stood beside the podium, as the resolution was read, and when it was over, board members asked if she would like to say a few words.
She politely declined.
Alvarez-Sowles told the board: “In her retirement, she really wants to spend time with her grandson and pick him up from school and be able to take care of him. I think that’s an amazing retirement plan.”
While Syrakos did a great job preparing others to take on her duties, her presence will be missed, the clerk said.
“Rosemary is not only an amazing leader, but she’s an amazing human being; we are going to miss her terribly in our office,” Alvarez-Sowles said.
Published December 07, 2022
