Eugene Buckley
January 01, 1932 - March 31, 2017
Obituary
Born in Kearney, NJ on February 18, 1932 to the late Josephine and Allen Buckley. He was a long time resident of Bloomfield for 73 years. One of the first to be baptized under a tent in St Thomas. Following his graduation from Bloomfield HS, he attended Fordham University and received his Masters Degree in English and Speech in 1955, and later went on to earn an M.S. in Clinical Speech at Montclair State University followed by Graduate school. While at Fordham Gene participated in the following activities; University Council, vice president of the senior class, “Grail” (yearbook), Literary Society Thallans (dramatic club), co-chairman of the senior luncheon senior prom committee, Spanish Club, Glee Club, and Sodality of the Immaculate Conception. Gene spent 2 years in active duty in the US Army Ordinance Corps. Aberdeen, Maryland . Mr. Buckley was the speech therapist at the Cerebral Palsy School in Belleville and would entertain the children by dressing up as Santa Claus at the holiday parties. Then he taught at Our Lady of the Valley HS in Orange. After leaving OLV he went on to teach English and Speech at Fairlawn HS for 29 years. He was also moderator for the Debate Club and assistant moderator for the Student Council. The senior class voted him Most Popular Teacher 2 years in a row and Best Dressed Teacher. After retiring, he taught part time as an English Professor at William Paterson University. His students always spoke very highly of him and he prided himself on maintaining student discipline. They learned humor from him and loved hearing about how he grew up during the great depression and about his Irish heritage. Gene shaped and changed many lives. He was a very beloved teacher at Fairlawn HS. The impact that he made was legendary. He was so passionate about education. He loved going to New York City to see Broadway shows, the theatre,Shakespeare, dancing, listening to music, walking, going out to dinner and traveling. Eugene was predeceased by his brothers, Patrick Buckley and Brother Matthew Buckley. He is survived by Maha and Andrew Treacy and their children, Jillian, Daniel and Christopher and friends and family. Eugene left all who knew him with the gift of laughter and many wonderful memories. Viewing will be at Halpin - Bitecola Brookdale Funeral Home, 1284 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ on Friday from 5-8 p.m. His funeral mass is on Saturday at 10 am at St. Thomas the Apostle in Bloomfield, NJ. Burial will immediately follow in Interment Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in his memory to either the American Heart Association or UNICEF. Other NJ Visitation Friday, April 7th, 2017 05:00 pm - 08:00 pm Halpin - Bitecola Brookdale Funeral Home 1284 Broad St, Bloomfield NJ 07003 Mass Saturday, April 8th, 2017 10:00 am - 10:45 am Saint Thomas the Apostle Church 60 Byrd Ave, Bloomfield NJ 07003 Burial Saturday, April 8th, 2017 11:30 am - 11:30 am Holy Cross Cemetery 340 Ridge Rd, North Arlington NJ 07031
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Memories
HB
Howard Bulos
Other •
What a teacher!
GD
George Duffy
Other •
My most heart felt thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Buckley. As a former student Mr. Buckley said and taught me things that i still remember to this day. His kindness will always be remembered.
DC
Dennis Courtney
Other •
Dennis Courtney lit a candle for
BD
Brian Daly
Other •
A great man and a great teacher.
HS
Helene Schwartz-Lepkowski
Other •
Mr Bucklley helped many students overcome their fear of public speaking, myself being one. His sense of humor and kindness will always remain in my heart. Rest in Peace
MW
Madeline Brannick Wollner
Other •
Me Buckley was the first male teacher I had at OLV. He brought a whole new slant to my educational expierience. His humor and style added so much to the classroom. I think we all worked a bit harder to impress him. He brought out the best in us both academically and socially.He was the inspiration for my career choice in Speech Education, both Arts and Sciences.As a Public School Speech Therapist I was working under the supervision of Mr Buckley's life long friend and I got to know "Gene" as the intelligent, funny, caring man that he was! I felt honored to be able to call him Gene.Even as his memory began to betray him, when I did see him he would always ask about my "Valley" friends and classmates, usually by name.This was the first year in my memory I was not able to get a St. Patrick's Day card off to him. He often said,"you can forget my birthday, but don't forget St Patrick's Day". Mr. Buckley, Gene, I will never forget you again! I know of a few people up there with you who will be enjoying your company and together you guys will never run out of things to say! Heaven is a bit brighter with those Irish eyes twinkling!Madeline Brannick Wollner OLV '64