Mr. Edward L. “Buddy” Clayton, a lifelong resident of Medford and beloved husband of the late Caroline J. (Isaacs) passed away at the Holy Family Hospital in Methuen on Monday morning, November 14, 2022. He was 94 years old.
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on November 11, 1928, he was the beloved son of the late Lloyd Howard and Henrietta (Clayton) Merriman. Buddy was retired from the US Postal Service as a District Manager. He had served in the US Army, entering the military at Boston on September 18, 1950 and received his Honorable Discharge from Camp Atterbury, Indiana on January 27,1952. In his spare time, Buddy enjoyed spending time at the West Medford Community Center, walking at the Burlington Mall and was an avid Hockey Fan. He had a special relationship with his daughters-in-law. They were the daughters that he never had. Above all, he enjoyed being with his loving family, especially his grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
Buddy had so many friends and was loved by everyone he came in contact with. He and his best friend Junior Hayes talked on the phone practically every day, especially to discuss the Massachusetts Lottery which they both loved to play. He also liked going to the casino. Buddy enjoyed hanging out with his friends for lunch at the West Medford Community Center and going for coffee with two of his dearest friends, Salvatore “Sully” Femia and Cecel Furey. He also liked to brag about how his niece, Marilyn Smith cooked dinner for him on Sundays with enough to last him the entire week and his love for ice cream was shared several nights a week with his longtime companion, JoAnn Tyler! He will be dearly missed.
Buddy is survived by his loving son’s and daughter’s-in-law; Steven E. and his wife Roberta Clayton, David A. and his wife Justina M. Clayton and Peter E. and Stacie J. Clayton, all of Medford, grandchildren; David Jr., Justin, Steven Jr., Christopher, Nicholas, Robert, Jayson, Jordan and Julia, great-granddaughter; Faith, Loving companion, Jo Ann Tyler and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late William Merriman and is survived by his sister, Janice Dost.
His Funeral Service will be celebrated in the West Medford Baptist Church, 59 Boston Avenue, Medford on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 12 noon. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. Visiting hours will be held in the Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 29 Governors Avenue, Medford on Friday, November 18, 2022, from 5 to 8 PM. Interment will be held in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford. Donations in Buddy’s memory may be made to the West Medford Community Center Senior Club, 111 Arlington Street, Medford, MA 02155. For additional information, please visit, www.magliozzifuneralhome.com.