Bennard D. Buckingham

Bennard D.Buckingham, 92, of Merritt Island, FL passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2015. Bernie, as he was fondly known, was born in Daytona Beach and lived in in Orlando from the early 1960's until 2001 when he moved to Merritt Island.

He was of the Protestant faith and a long standing member of the Masonic Lodge. Bernie was a career sailor in the U.S. Navy during WW ll serving in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his service during the "D" Day Invasion of Normandy. Other decorations include American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African Middle Eastern Area Campaign Medal, World War ll Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and a Good conduct Medal (7th Award).

Bernie served aboard the USS LST-282, USS WRIGHT CVL-49, USS LST(H)-464, USS LEYTE CV-32, USS ANTIETAM CVS-36, USS BOSTON CAG-1, USS SARATOGA CVA-60, CAMPAIGN A-60, USS FISKE DD-842 and USS LOYALTY MSO-457.

He is a member of VFW Post 10148, American Post 348, Fleet Reserve Assoc. Branch 117, LST Assoc. and ELKs Lodge 2650 Merritt Island.

After his retirement from the Navy, Bernie enjoyed a long 25 year career working for RCA and CSR on the Eastern Missile Test Range. He work in the communications centers at Antigua, Ascension, Grand Turk Eleuthera and Grand Bahama Islands.

Bernie was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine, in 2006. He is survived by his step-daughter and son-in-law, Marian and Gilbert Patton; sister Judy; two grandchildren: Gil Patton and John Patton; and three great- grandchildren: Rebecca, Reagan, and Max.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ELKs Charity at the Merritt Island ELKs Lodge 2650.