Bobby Tracey was born in the small town of Compbella Di Licata, Sicily as, Charles S. Boncore on Sept. 24, 1903. He was one of six children to come to America, at the age of eleven. Unable to speak English at the time, this would be the start of his fighting days.

Bobby, who lived on Buffalo's West Side for many years, took up boxing to support his family when his father died. He fought under the name of "Young Diamond" at the Broadway Auditorium as an amateur at age sixteen, as a bantamweight, but soon turned professional because nobody would fight him in that class. In those days, Irish fighters were dominant and received most of the fights.

One day, while training at Jack Singer's Gym, Charles met Bert Finch, who became his manager, Bert said, the name (Young Diamond ) had to go! At the time, the character, Dick Tracey was very popular, so Charles thought, "Hey, how about Bobby Tracey"? Hoping he can become popular too.

Bobby fought across the country for many years and was noted for his speed and quickness and his "Charlie Chaplin" style in the ring. He had this unusual side step, a habit of lifting his left hip.

Bobby Tracey fought many, many notable opponents two or three times, his most notable achievement was fighting Jimmy Goodrich, a total of four times! Once to a draw in 1924, before he was champion, twice to a draw in 1927, after he was champion and in 1928 Bobby finally heat him in ten rounds. Even most champions avoided Bobby in the ring.

After he married Lucy DiPasquale in 1924, he would take the train to Buffalo, meet her at the station, hand over the purse (cash wrapped in a newspaper ) and be off to the next bout. During his years of professional boxing, his wife became known as "the only one who ever knocked out Bobby Tracey". Bobby was married to Lucy for fifty-seven years and they raised one son, Robert. Lucy passed away in 1981.

Bobby retired from boxing after a had car accident up in Canada. Soon after, Bobby went into part- ownership of the former Yellowtop Cab Co. and drove cab from a station in front of the former Statler Hilton and later from Greater Buffalo International Airport. The following was taken from an actual old newspaper article :

In his prime, Bobby frequently fought three or four times a week. He's now a 190 pound taxi cab operator, and almost as well known as the Hotel Statler, from which he operates. Bobby laughed as he recalled his last fight ( outside the ring ). Bobby got involved in a street scrap because he was acting the part of Sir Galahad. A pest was bothering some of the pretty dames in the vicinity of Hotel Statler. Bobby stepped up and asked the pest to desist. "Cut it out," was the way Bobby put it. "Say pal." replied the pest. "Do you know who I am? I happen to be the lightweight champ of Canada". With that the pest tossed a left at Bobby's head. Bobby ducked and tossed a hook himself. Five minutes later the Canadian was raised to a sitting position. He was still shaking the stardust from his noggin. "Say, what happened?" the pest asked groggily. "Why," said Bobby. "You just lost the lightweight championship of Canada!"

Bobby Tracey died March 17, 1989 in St. Luke's Nursing Home. He left behind his Legacy ill the History of Buffalo's Golden Era of Boxing, from a small town immigrant boy to a "Hall of Fame Honoree".