He was born in New York City on April 15, 1925 to James P. Buckley and Jane (Jennie) McCormick Buckley. He was predeceased by his brother James and his sister Gertrude.
He attended Yonkers public schools and graduated from Gorton High School in 1943.
He served with great distinction in the U.S. Army in the European campaign in World War II, landing in Normandy several days after the D-Day invasion. He was wounded twice, and was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal and the Medal of Valor.
In November 2011, he was among a group of WWII veterans honored by the government of France for their service in that country during the war and was awarded France’s highest honor, appointment as a Knight of the Legion of Honor, by the French ambassador to the United States.
On June 19, 1948, he married Eileen M. Humphrey at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Yonkers. From 1946 to 1961, he was a member of the Westchester County Parkway Police, rising to the rank of Detective Lieutenant. From 1961 to 2000 he had a career in sales and sales management, most recently with Leiberts Royal Green Appliances in White Plains.
Mr. Buckley was a long time parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers and was a member of the Father Solanus Casey Guild.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Eileen, his son James G. Buckley, his daughters Ellen Vetrano and Patricia Docherty, sons-in-law Robert F. Docherty and Kevin Dunn; grandchildren Amy Hunter (Thomas), Victoria Vetrano, Caitlin Docherty, Michael Vetrano, Robert J. Docherty; and great-grandson Ryan Hunter. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Edward Humphrey, cousins Carol and Jerry Wiffler, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be in the Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Thursday June 20th from 2-4 & 7-9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be in Sacred Heart Church on Friday June 21st at 11am. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Sharing Community, 1 Hudson Street, Yonkers, NY 10702.
Whalen & Ball Funeral Home
168 Park Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703
(914)965-5488
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18