David L. Buckley Jr., 96, of Westport passed away unexpectedly at St. Anne’s Hospital on Veteran’s Day, November 10. He was married to Louise A. (Healy) Buckley, with whom he shared 77 years of marriage and a very special bond.
Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late David L. Sr. and Pauline (Haskell) Buckley and a lifelong resident of Westport.
Dave was an electrical contractor who worked alongside his late son John for many years in the Westport/Little Compton/Tiverton area as Buckley Electric until he retired at the age of 81. He was a Navy veteran who served in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during World War II. After returning from the war in 1946, Dave married his childhood sweetheart, Louise. They became parents to four children and opened their home to many other children, relatives and friends over the years. As foster parents they cared for newborn babies in their first months of life until they went to their forever families. He enjoyed time spent with family and was always a quiet presence at family gatherings. He was very proud of his children’s accomplishments and loved visits with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dave was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Church, Westport and was an honorary member of the St. John’s “Holy Rollers” for many years, helping with the annual summer fair by making the dough for the famous pie sale. He was a recipient of the Marian Medal.
Loving father of David L. III and Mary (Lynn) Buckley of Westport, Robert A. and Maureen (Fay) Buckley of North Falmouth, Wendy L. Buckley of Watertown, and the late John J. Buckley, Proud grandfather of David L. IV and Heidi Buckley of New Bedford, MA, Timothy W. and Britanny (Benn) Buckley of Madison, CT., Brianna C. (Buckley) and John O’Driscoll of Yorktown Heights, NY, Sarah L. (Buckley) and Adam Desmarais of Acushnet, MA, and Ryan T. and Laura (Pires) Buckley of New Bedford. Super great-grandfather to Flynn and Weston Buckley, Adelynn and Hannah Desmarais, Emmet and Carrick O’Driscoll, Mercedes (Levandowski) Weeks, and Logan Levandowski.
Dave is survived by his brother Arnold R. Buckley of Hebron, CT and was predeceased by his sister Susanne (Buckley) Smeaton.
A Mass of Christian Burial to which relatives and friends are invited will be Tuesday, November 14 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John the Baptist Church, Westport.
Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the charity of your choice can be made in Dave’s name.