Frank Buckle Obituary

The following is taken from a speech I wrote for my communications class this past week. Love you all!

"A keystone is a centrally placed stone at the crown of an arch that locks the other stones in place. Without it, the other stones would fall inward, compromising the integrity of the entire building surrounding it. Without it, the arch, and therefore the building, would crumble downward, into oblivion. If removed, the building would cease to exist.

My grandfather, Frank Buckle, passed away last week, at the ripe age of 96. He was my family’s keystone in many, many ways, just as we are each the blocks that make up the walls surrounding the arch. He spent his entire life working for his family, giving it the support it needed to grow. He and my grandmother were married in 1934, and over the course of the next 24 years, had a family of 8 children. In his younger days, he was a drummer, playing with the great bands of the 1930’s, including Gene Krupa and Tommy Dorsey. He was also a railroad man for many years, working as a Pullman Conductor on the great passenger trains from Chicago to all points across the country. He carried our troops cross country during World War II and The Korean War. He and his family had times of great sadness, tempered by times of great joy and thankfulness. He buried an infant daughter, but also welcomed a fast-growing number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great grandchildren. Our numbers now total 35. We are Irish, after all.
In a fitting tribute, we said our final goodbyes on St. Patrick’s Day. We raised a glass, or two or three, to the man who was our keystone, the support in our arch, the foundation of the building we have spent a lifetime constructing, brick by brick.

It’s sad for us all, now that he’s gone. He lived a long, storied life, the kind of life that puts wrinkles on your face, but triumph in your soul. Many of us are quietly wondering what will happen to our family now that our keystone, our “Chief”, as we lovingly called him, is gone. I mentioned earlier that without its keystone, the building around it would crumble. In the literal sense, that is indeed true. However, our family couldn’t be more different. There are many of us left to carry on my grandfather’s legacy, and we do not take that responsibility lightly. It is our duty, our promise to him that we will not let this building crumble.
The keystone, while gone in body, still holds us together in spirit. Each of us, a brick in the wall, will continue to maintain our family’s connection to each other, as we raise our own children to know that they, too, are bricks in our family’s edifice. Each brick, while small on its own, combines with the others to form strength, tenacity and resolve. There will be other arches, and each will have its own keystone, yet those arches will never stand alone. They will continue to bear the weight of many generations, and for this, we owe a debt of gratitude to “The Chief”.

we love you!

Chief, you left with me is a lifetime of memories that I cherish and share with my chidren. When I hear the cracklin of bacon I remember having open flame breakfast in the Denver forest while Frank, Bobby and I played in a tree while Chief and Dad busted a gut finding out it was full of bees. Chief I was so proud to be your grandpa when you pulled into the Denver train station, jumped off the train and we all had much to share. I waited for that magic moment when my grandpa uniform and all belted out "ALL A BOARD" and one last memorie, thank you for letting me stay many summers with Frank where we played slow motion football where we would act out Bart Star and Dick Butkis, we thank you for being the slow motion ref with after game interview by Frank Buckle

I love you Grandpa........

Uncle Frank was our chief too. Just thinking about him makes you smile because he was so full of devilry. He never kissed the Blarney Stone-he didn't have to. He was born with it in him. Heaven will never be the same!!! I bet he has everyone singing zinga-zanga. We will always miss him and love him.

Hail to the Chief! We will miss you so much but I know that you are up in Heavan with Grandma and my dad and all of those who have past before. I can't imagine not seeing or hearing your voice but I have comfort knowing your with Grandma now. I will miss you so much!

A farewell toast!
St. Patrick's hand on your shoulder,
A kiss for each cheek:
A tip of the hat until we meet
On God's shining Emerald shore.

Schertz, TX

You were and are the chief! I don’t know any one with such a personality! I remember waking up and seeing your car parked out side of Nanny’s house and I would run down the stairs and we would all have breakfast! I remember you teaching me how to properly play the drums! You were an awesome grandpa!

Dear Chief,
How many ways can I say I love you.
You were one of my biggest fans for football.I will never forget what you and grandma did for us. Your great sense of humor helps make this a little easier to take. I will be tipping a few for you on monday and probobly sooner than that.
I will miss you dearly Chief.

Love,

Bob

The strong bonds in our family are tethered by the links of love, laughter, and loyalty that were exemplified through the heart of Grandpa. We all carry his legacy now and into the future by the love and caring we share with each other. Thank you, Grandpa, for being the man you were and for showing us the meaning of family. We are all truly blessed to have known you and to call you our own.

Grampa, we will all miss you so very much. Thanks for instilling such a great sense of humor and fun in us all. You and Gramma created such a wonderful, loving family and the world is a better place because of you. I love you! love, patty

The Buckle Family, You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I met Chief through Rosie (my life long friend). I know that Rosie and I must have added many grey hairs and wrinkles!!Chief always had a smile, a hug and a joke or two. Later in life my father and he formed an instant friendship. Unfortunately it was far to short...but now they have been reunited in a far better place..and I am sure they are having a wonderful time together.
I wish you all fond memories and the peaceful knowledge he is fine and content...and loves each and everyone of you so very much.

Love to all.

Dear Grandpa,

I just wanted to let you know how much you have impacted my life. Even though we didn’t see each other that often, you have made a difference in my life. You are the sole reason for encouraging me to play drums. Seeing you play at my Aunt Jeanne’s wedding, having a great time playing the drums, really struck me as amazing. About after a year of watching you play those drums, I started to take lessons. I now have a very strong passion for playing drums and I can credit that passion to you and only you. Your great caring and humorous attitude towards life has also taught me that you are never too old to keep doing what you love to do. Thank you so much for being the person who you are and who you have influenced me to be.

With Love and Thanks,

Danny Molnar

Dad, your greatest gifts to all of us were love of family and friends, your sense of humor, and your love of music.....things we have inherited from you. I'll always be grateful to you. Eternally rest in peace.
Your #2 daughter, Barbara

Grandpa Buckle was such a special person. He loved his family very much, and was loved by all of us. My favorite memories of him were the goofy looks he would sneak you when noone was looking! He had a wonderful sense of humor, and an even more wonderful heart. I will miss him, but I know he is so happy to be in heaven with Grandma Buckle. We love you Chief...keep smiling down on us!

To All the Buckle Family:
Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of Frank. He was a great man, full of the devil and fun to be with.
Your parents were good friends with my parents (Art & Kay Noonan) for many, many years and with the passing of Frank, the entire "Stony Island Booster Club" will all be together again for St. Patrick's Day.
He will be missed!
Love,
Pat (Noonan) Stenson and my husband Jerry.

My Grandfather was an a extremely great man. Although I had only known him for 11 years of my life, he has alway given me extraordinary memories. The most memorable thing he has taught me is how to shake hands properly.I love you grandpa.Say hi to all of the Buckles for me, and tell grandma Marge I love her.

We were so sorry to hear of your father's passing. We've enjoyed telling the story of your father insisting on taking our father out for a drink one early morning when both your mother and your sister gave birth on the same morning for years. He and your mother were very dear friends of our parents, Art and Dorothy Kennelly, and they shared many other memorable stories of the times they spent with your parents over the decades. Please accept the entire Kennelly family's sincerest sympathies.

Godspeed Chief! Mr. Manners! I will miss you so much. Thank you for always bringing such joy to my life! You were always there for us and you will always be in our hearts. We love you, Meghan and Ted

He was and forever will be my father, my hero. I will miss your sense of humor and the pure joy you brought to all. I love you Daddy. Rosie

ODE TO THE CHIEF

He was here before me.
He was here before you.
He lived through it all.

He saw the world and it's many
colors.
He watched as it changed.


He lived in a time that man
would never walk on the moon.
He watched as man's foot
landed on the big marble in the sky.

He held you as a baby
and watched you grow into the
wonderful person you stand
here today.

He gets to go home after
all these years,
see people he hasn't seen in a
lifetime.
He can kiss his wife for the first
time in years.

We will always remember him.

He was your Dad,
He was your Grandpa
He was your friend
He was the Chief
and always will be.

Love from,

Emily

Rest easy Dad. I will miss you so much. You were a great dad, loving, funny, sly, and mischievous. You will always be in my heart. Thank you for everything. Give Mom a kiss for me. Your daughter,

I knew Frank as "Chief" and I thought the world of him. Even though I hadn't seen him in quite a long time - being an ex-granddaughter-in-law, I've always kept track of him and how he was doing. I too remember him coming to Janet's house for toast and coffee every morning when I would visit. Kylie and Caitlin remember him as the one that used to act like a boxer to them - what a character. He always thought he could make a million dollars off the girls if he could be their agent! He was loved greatly and will be missed. My prayers are with the family.

I met Frank last year through his daughter, Mary Lane, a friend of mine. He was a real classy gentleman...a very nice man to have met. My condolences to you, Mary, and to your family during these trying times.

Grandpa Buckle was a great man and I am so lucky that I was able to know my great-grandfather for 25 years. I will always remember him coming over to Grandma's house for coffee and toast almost every morning in the summers, and how he would bring all the kids Kit-Kats and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. He will be missed, but always with us in our hearts.

My grandfather was such a great man. How lucky we are to have shared his life with him for so many years. He made each one of us feel so special. He will be missed more than anyone could even comprehend. May he rest in peace.