[1] Bucci graduated from St. Aloysius High School in Vicksburg in 1938 and earned a degree in architectural engineering from Louisiana State University.
After the outbreak of World War II, Bucci enlisted in the United States Army and received training in meteorology at New York University.
When the war ended, he was stationed for several months at Orly Air Base near Paris and took life-drawing classes at the Académie Julian in 1945–46.
In the late 1940s, Bucci was among the original group of artists to exhibit work and teach at Mississippi's first art colony at Allison's Wells Hotel.
After a fire destroyed the hotel in 1963, Bucci continued his affiliation with the art colony for a number of years after it regrouped.
During the Korean War, Bucci was called back into military service as a weather officer at Lockbourne AFB in Ohio, which was operated by the Strategic Air Command.
[4] Bucci designed the 5-cent United States Postal Service stamp commemorating the 150th anniversary of Mississippi statehood.
[9] Bucci's painting, "Figure in Green," was chosen by the USA International Ballet Competition as the signature image for the 2014 commemorative poster and program.