John Joseph Buckley

John Joseph Buckley, surrounded by his family, passed away peacefully at his home in Demarest on Sunday. He was 89. Very proud of his Irish heritage, John was born in New York City to parents Thomas and Mary (Flynn) Buckley, originally of Limerick, Ireland. John grew up in the Fordham section of the Bronx, and graduated from Rice High School at age 16. He then attended Iona College on a basketball scholarship, earning a bachelor’s degree in business. After college, John was drafted into the United States Army, and played baseball and basketball in Germany as part of Special Services. He later obtained a master’s degree in education from the University at New Paltz. His love-filled, blessed marriage of 64 years to Dorothy (Banton) Buckley first brought him to Parkchester in the Bronx, where all four of his children were born. The family soon moved to Demarest, NJ, where they participated in the many happy joys of their community. John coached Little League, and helped start U-Gals Softball. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Council, led weekly CCD sessions, and served on the Northern Valley Council for troubled teens. John’s business career was twofold: he transitioned from serving on the Committee on Special Education and his 20-year position as a high school counselor in New York City to building the successful Wall Street recruiting firm John Buckley Associates until he retired in 1997. John was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Mary, and his brother, Bill. He is survived by his brother, Thomas; wife, Dorothy; children Thomas (Kimberly Gdula), Dorothy (Michael McCarthy), William (Maria Carluccio), and John (Jackie Nitsche); and grandchildren Olivia, Ella, Grace, Quinn, John, Mohana, Ava, and Glynnton, who were a source of unbounding love. John’s greatest joy was his children and grandchildren. Known by all as a jokester and a supporter, he was a very big part of their lives. The wake for John will take place 1-4 pm and 5-8 pm on Friday, July 5 at the Barrett Leber Funeral Home in Tenafly; the Mass will take place 10 am on Saturday, July 6 at Sacred Heart Church in Haworth, followed by the interment at Rockland Cemetery in Sparkill, NY. Please consider your charity of choice in his honor. As football season is soon upon us, John, a NY Giants season tickets holder for more than 60 years, would want all to shout out a cheer for both the Giants and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish!

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John Joseph Buckley

August 16, 1934 - June 30, 2024