Robert Buckley – May 26
BUCKLEY, Robert Henry, of New Rochelle, NY, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2023 at the age of 89. Devoted husband of Mimi Buckley (deceased). Loving father to Jeanne Sclafani (Mark), of Pleasantville, NY, Waite Buckley (Maria) of Pelham, NY, Katie Stevens (John) of Pelham, NY, and Timothy Buckley of Oakton, VA. Survived by his siblings Marie Louise McCormack, Elinor Buckley, Elsie Kilvert and Gerard Buckley. Predeceased by his brothers Charles, Richard, and Peter and his sister Jeanne Feeney.
Bob was born June 28, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY to Charles and Louise Ganss Buckley. He attended Brooklyn Prep before heading to the University of Miami ’55 where he captained the men’s swim team, served as vice president of the M Club and was a brother of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Upon graduation Bob joined the United States Navy serving on the USS Stone County. He traveled the world playing water polo for the US Navy team. After four years of active duty, he continued to serve in the Naval Reserves retiring as a Lieutenant Commander.
In 1961, he married the love of his life Mimi Buckley (Buckingham) in Flint, MI and they resided in Long Beach, CA. Moving to Pelham, NY, in 1965, Bob began what would be a 48-year career as a sales executive in the construction hoist industry, working for Heede Hoist, Regional Scaffolding, and Safway Atlantic until his retirement in 2013.
Bob kept his athletic spirit and love for sports throughout his entire life. He was an avid golfer and paddle tennis player as a member of the New York Athletic Club and Pelham Country Club. A longtime fan to the New York Giants, Miami Hurricanes, and his grandchildren’s many sporting events. He was a member of the The American Legion and The Knights Templar.
Bob was an avid history buff with an encyclopedic knowledge of World War II. He loved his New York Times, classical music, strong coffee, oysters, his black Labrador Piper, and most of all his family and friends.
Bob and Mimi Buckley’s door was always open to friends and relatives. They had four children but there were always more in the house – some staying for weeks and months.
Grandpa “Bobbob” will be missed by his seven grandchildren Sarah, Erin, Brian, Harrison, Julia, Riley, and Meghan, two great-grandchildren Paul and Patrick, and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be Wednesday, May 31, 2023 4-8pm at Pelham Funeral Home, Pelham, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial at 10am Thursday, June 1 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Pelham Manor, NY. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit http://www.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made
Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the Pelham Funeral Home.
