Richard P. Buckley
Richard Patrick Buckley, 91, of Middleboro, formerly of Holbrook and Wakefield, NH passed away peacefully at home on May 19th, 2022. Beloved husband of sixty five (65) years to Mary (Wood) Buckley. Loving father of Deborah Dineen and her husband Paul of Norwood, Richard Buckley, Jr. and his wife Gwenn of Holbrook, Timothy Buckley and his fiancée Laura Bete of Hanover, and Joanne Buckley of Braintree. Adored Papa of Michael and his wife Amanda, Jessica, Richard III, and Greyson.
Dick was the son of the late Richard A. & Mary A. (Sullivan) Buckley and was raised in Allston, MA where he attended English High School and was a proud graduate of Boston College (ROTC) in 1953 and later received his Master’s Degree in Education from Bridgewater State College. Dick served in the U.S. Army (Field Artillery) & U.S. Army Reserve for thirty (30) years and retired as a full Colonel in 1983. He became an educator after working at Liberty Mutual Insurance (where he & Mary first met) in Boston and held positions at Randolph High School, the Sippican School in Marion, MA, Old Rochester Regional High School in Mattapoisett, MA and taught and was the Title I Administrator in the Brockton Public Schools. He retired in 1995 for a total of thirty seven (37) years of public service.
Dick was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan and sports fan in general, but a baseball fan in particular as he played in his youth. He was also an avid BC hockey fan and had wonderful memories of attending the NCAA Frozen Four in Tampa, FL in 2012 where BC won the National Championship. Growing up in Allston he loved watching baseball games at Braves Field and Fenway Park, where he would wait after Red Sox games to get the autographs of his favorite baseball players - from Ted Williams to the Dimaggio brothers and many others. Dick also worked at the Skating Club of Boston and was an excellent ice skater. He spoke fondly of family vacations to Peggotty Beach in Scituate, MA with his cherished cousins.
Dick was well read and a terrific conversationalist. He loved all music - from the Boston Pops to Willie Nelson and most everything in between! During his many years in retirement Dick took great pleasure in planning and attending numerous military reunions throughout the country with the 508 & 337 Field Artillery Units. He enjoyed tending to his wood stove and frequent shopping excursions with Mary when they lived in New Hampshire. And to say Dick had a sweet tooth would be putting it mildly; he especially loved black licorice and cookies of all varieties & flavors.
A spinal cord injury suffered at home in 2015 changed his life at the time, as it greatly limited his mobility, but not his spirit or his strong desire to thrive despite his disability. Dick epitomized grace under fire during his recovery and the seven plus years he lived at home where he received wonderful care from many kind and loving people. He was the very best husband, father, grandfather, cousin, brother-in-law and friend that anyone could ask for...and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 9th at 11:30am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Holbrook, MA and a private burial will take place afterwards at the National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.
A celebration of life gathering honoring Richard/Dick/Dickie Doo/Dickie Bird/Colonel Buckley will take place later this year for friends and family.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org): 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306
Guestbook
First Name: Mary
Last Name: Vesey Graziano
City: Concord
State: NH
Country: USA
Entry Date: 06/06/2022
My heart is full for this wonderful family. Mr. Buckley was a great guy, I feel lucky to have known him. My heartfelt condolences to the beautiful Mrs Buckley who always held a special place in my heart. My sympathies to Debbie, Richard, Timmy and Joann your Dad was truly one of the good ones. He is truly in Jesus’ arms. With love Mary Vesey
First Name: Brendan
Last Name: Walsh
City: Salem
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 06/07/2022
I never knew a better man! Dick was a mentor to me as a Title 1 Director and an exemplar of how to conduct oneself in tense and difficult situations. The constantly displayed love for each other displayed by Dick and Mary was an inspiration as well.
"The Colonel" was simply the best.
Rest In Peace, my friend!
First Name: Gigi
Last Name: Mayhew
City:
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 06/07/2022
Words fall short of expressing my sorrow for your loss. My heartfelt condolences to Mary and my sympathies to the Buckley family. One very special man, one very special family. You are always in my prayers. Blessings, Hugs, gigi