William M. Buckley

William M. “Bill” Buckley
1931 – 2024

William M. Buckley of Abington passed away peacefully on March 19, 2024, after a brief illness. Bill was born on September 18, 1931, in Boston, Mass., to William S. and Agnes (Cadigan) Buckley. Bill was raised in Dorchester, the fourth of five children. He graduated from Boston Latin School in 1949 and from Boston College in 1953, working an overnight shift at The Boston Post to finance his college education.

He married June M. Denon, the love of his life, a month after graduating from college. Bill served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955, and was stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, where he and June started their family.

After completing his service in the Army, he returned to Dorchester to begin his professional career, working at John Hancock Life Insurance Company, and later, The Boston Post.

For most of his career, Bill was an advertising representative for The Boston Globe. He retired with approximately 30 years of service. Bill’s devoted wife, June, with whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage in June, his family, and his faith were the cornerstones of his life.

Bill, June and their growing family moved to Abington in 1960. He and June were inseparable; enjoying life’s good times and supporting each other and those they loved through life’s challenges.

Together, Bill and June raised a family of six children, to whom they gave endless time, support and encouragement. As their children grew, Bill and June found more time for themselves. They enjoyed time with their children and grandchildren, working around their home and yard, and their trips to Nantasket Beach, Maine, Florida, the Cape, the Amish country, New Hampshire and more. Bill also enjoyed sports and served for many years as a basketball coach at St. Bridget’s School and a coach in the Abington Little League system. He and June were longtime members of St. Bridget’s Parish in Abington, and in their later years, of Holy Family Church in Rockland. Bill found great strength in his faith.

Bill also took great pleasure and a sense of accomplishment in running. He began running at the age of 50 and continued throughout the entirety of his life. He finished the first race he ever ran in last place, but soon was finishing toward the front of the pack, regularly earning medals and ribbons as a top runner in his division. He especially liked to run races that honored the service of others. These included races dedicated to fallen heroes, Abington Police, and the Wells Crowther Road Race at his alma mater, Boston College, which he ran several times in tribute to a heroic young man who died while saving others in the aftermath of the World Trade Center terrorist attack in 2001.

Bill will be remembered for his dedication to his wife and family, his intellectual curiosity, his sense of humor, and his humility.

He was predeceased by a beloved son, Joseph Patrick Buckley, his parents, his three sisters, Agnes, Margaret, and Joan, and his brother John.

Bill is survived by his wife, June, six children and their spouses, Carolyn (Gerard) Kates of Norton, Mass.; William (Mary) Buckley of Holmdel, New Jersey; David (Denise) Buckley of Boxford, Mass.; Michael (Bonnie) Buckley of Leominster, Mass.; Richard (Susan) Buckley of Rockland, Mass.; and Paul (Brenda) Buckley of Shrewsbury, Mass. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at the South Shore Hospital for the support and care provided to Bill and his loved ones in recent weeks.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 25, at 10:30 AM, at St. Bridget’s Church at 455 Plymouth Street in Abington. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Rockland. There will not be any calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of William M. Buckley to support cancer research and patient care at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, or via dana-farber.org/gift.

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