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George Buckley Obituary

Buckley, George R. "Dick" age 85, of Oak Park; long-time Chicago Radio disc jockey; beloved husband of the late Marjorie; loving father of Janet (Tim) Wayland, Jim and Jeff (Julia) Buckley; cherished grandfather of Jamie Wayland, Ian and Graham Buckley. Visitation Tuesday 9 a.m. until time of Service 11 a.m. at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St., Oak Park. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Jazz Education Network are appreciated. Funeral Info: 708-383-3191.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Jul. 25, 2010.
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Memories and Condolences
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Thank you for the many hours and years of joy you brought into my home. I'll bet "When the Saints Come Marching In" was played by all the jazz greats upon your arrival. Respectfully, Lynn Marie, Chicago, IL

Lynn Vander Kolk

Friend

January 21, 2018

August 2: I’ve listened to Dick Buckley for years, always enjoying his music and the knowledge he passed on about whatever he played. Living nearby in Maywood, I had hoped to come by Dreschler Brown etc. to pay my respects at the visitation before the service. However, the storm Friday/Saturday put 26” of rain in my basement. Clean up is finally almost done.
I wanted your family to know how much your Dad has been missed in recent years and will be missed in the future. My sympathy to you all.

Sincerely, Jean Dillner

August 2, 2010

I owe a good part of my education to Dick Buckley! When I first started listening to him in the early 60s, I was trapped in the very small, gray, and joyless world of Jehovah's Witnesses. I wasn't supposed to have any interests outside of my religion. Jazz helped me break away; I realized that life was supposed to be interesting and fluid...and "joyful." I'll always remember his theme song, his "in my own humble opinion, which I value very highly," and his never talking over a record and never failing to give a full discography. I remember two records in particular, both of which he played right before my wife and I moved to northern Maine in 1981 so that she could take her first church assignment: "Sweet Sue" by Jimmie Lunceford and "Misery and the Blues" by Jack Teagarden. It took me decades to find those records in the days before the Internet and Amazon.com. After "Sweet Sue" had finished playing, he paused for just a second and then said, "that record just makes you want to smile all over!" Boy, he was right as always. I'm so sorry he's gone, and I truly hope your memories are ones of "happiness!" Thank you, and God bless you all!

David Anderson

July 31, 2010

To Janice ,Jim and Jeff...
We are deeply sadened by the passing of your Dad and did not know about your Mom until now..So sorry..Our children Lynn,Lori,Scott,Lisa,Cheryl,Tim and Chris, Your neighbors across the alley in Oak Park continued to listen to your Dad on the radio..He was very special..With all of our Love. Ron and Barb Warren, now retired and living in Friendship ,Wisconsin in the woods..The Best to each of you...

Ronald Warren

July 30, 2010

I had the enduring good fortune to begin to listen to Dick Buckley from the 50's on WAAF through his Sunday and Evening WBEZ broadcasts. I well remember an interim FM station WNEW? which occasionally featured his squeaky chair and an infant son "singing'" in the background. I feel that I can speak for my family and friends and thousands of his listeners ;He made the joy of Jazz music a major part of our lives. Fortunately, I taped many broadcasts which will be kept for my adult sons. May God bless the Buckleys

Bill Keenan

July 30, 2010

My sympathy on your loss. I was a great fan of Mr. Buckley's Sunday afternoon program on WBEZ. I learned alot about the music my parents loved and taught us to love too. Mr. Buckley's personal stories of the musicians made wonderful listening.
Ironically, my mom died on Thursday also. She and my dad loved to dance. I'm smiling as I think about the two of them dancing in heaven to the tunes of Glenn Miller with Dick Buckley spinning the records.

Barb Schell

July 29, 2010

I am very sorry for your loss. Many pleasant Sunday afternoons were spent at WBEZ fund-raisers during your Dad's program. He would stop by to say hello to all of us who were volunteering after he got off the air.
Virginia (Oak Park)

July 27, 2010

Some time more than 55 years ago I started learning about jazz by listening to Dick on an AM station. As a teenager, I'd have to huddle down in front of our radiio in the living room while the folks finished dinner (they were classical snobs and wanted no part of jazz) in our small apartment. Thanks to this early intro by Dick, as soon as I was old enough I'd go downtown to the Blue Note, sit on the "teen terrace" (no alcohol), and listen to Basie, Shearing, Sarah and the rest.
Per your perennial signoff, Dick, thanks for a lifetime of "happiness"!

Mike Orlov

July 27, 2010

Hi Guys-
Sorry to hear about the passing of Uncle Dick. You will be in our prayers. Love Jackie

Jackie Nusbaumer

July 27, 2010

I couldn't stop crying the last day of his radio show. My Sundays for 20+ years starting when I was 25 years old were revolved around his show. My parents and dates were always amazed when a jazz song would be playing at a restaurant , in a movie or on the radio and I knew who sung it, when, and the history of the band all thanks to Dick.

My Sundays are not the same so I have many jazz songs loaded on my ipod to make up for the loss. I hope NPR will soon replay all of his shows. My prayers are with your family.

Diana Maxwell

July 27, 2010

Our Sunday afternoon routine was always the same: cafe lattes and Dick Buckley spinning the jazz records on WBEZ radio. His stories and insights on the music were always enjoyable and entertaining; the man simply loved jazz and it was evident in his enthusiasm on the air. I could not believe that WBEZ decided to dispose of this open music format in favor of talk and news on their frequency. Where has all the culture gone? Do those that appreciate it have a voice?

My condolences to Janet, Jim, and Jeff Buckley. Your father was a legend who is sorely missed by his fans. We have him to thank for exposing us to all that great jazz music.

Tom Parsons

July 26, 2010

What a guy! He knew his jazz and loved letting us share the joy of his programing...and we sure did!
He was well liked by his AFTRA & SAG friends. We've been blessed knowing him.

-BOB BARON-

July 25, 2010

I am so sorry for your loss. I will always attribute my learning about and loving jazz from your father. I remember listening to him on Sunday afternoons while driving over to see my dad. It always made the day easier. I was sorry when he left the air. He will be missed.

Mary K

July 25, 2010

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