Obituary of John F. Buckley

John F. Buckley, 85, formerly of West Boylston, MA, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2015 with his loving family at his side. John was born on May 7, 1930 in Haverhill, MA. He was the son of John and Melina (Beaucage) Buckley and the loving husband of the late Lora P (Hastings) Buckley of 52 years. He cherished his four children: Susan M. Dick and her husband Carl of Saco, ME, Sharon A. Koegl and her husband Rudolph of Niskayuna, NY, John F. Buckley Jr. and his wife Lynne of W. Boylston, MA, and Mark P. Buckley of W. Boylston, MA. He was the treasured grandfather of Bridget (fiance Andrew Foster and daughter, Grace) Dick, Chistopher (Corenna) Dick, Cassandra Koegl, R.J. (Rachele) Koegl, Phillip Buckley, Brian Buckley, Kara Buckley, Rachel Buckley, and Brendan Buckley. He was so thrilled to be "grandpa the great" to Bryson and Karaleena Dick. John attended school in Haverhill until moving to Panama in 1944. There he graduated from Cristobal High School and the Panama Canal Zone Junior College in Balboa. Majoring in journalism, John graduated from Boston University where he was proud to be a sports correspondent to the Boston Globe. Following graduation, he served in the US Army at Fort McClellan, AL until 1954. Following his honorable discharge, John started as a reporter for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette in Clinton, MA before advancing to the job of his dreams as sports writer and sports editor of the Worcester Evening Gazette. Upon retirement, John and Lora enjoyed traveling, golfing, Scrabble and years in both Vero Beach, FL and Wells, ME. Following Lora's passing, John resided in Rexford and Niskayuna, NY near his daughter. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday July 7th at 9 AM at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Union St., Niskayuna, NY. There will be no calling hours. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Ingersoll Place, Niskayuna, for their kindness and compassion during John's residence there. Donations in John's memory may be made to the Melanoma Foundation of New England, 111 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner, Suite 1005, Concord, MA 01742.