Francis C. Buckley

Mr. Francis C. Buckley, 86, long time resident of Mt. Airy, MD, died, Monday, July 9, 2007, at College View Center, Frederick, after a long illness and courageous battle. He was the husband of Anne Wetzel Buckley.

Born September 6, 1920, in Wilkes-Barre, PA., he was the son of the late, John and Margaret Martin Buckley.

Mr. Buckley was a World War II Veteran, having served in the U.S. Army. The family came to Mt. Airy in 1953 when he was working as a Civil Engineer with a local bridge contracting company. He then worked 27 years for the Washington D.C. Department of Roads and Bridges where he retired.

He was a past member of the Mt. Airy Lions Club, Mayberry Archers in Mayberry, and a Charter Member of the Mt. Airy Rotary Club, as well as a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 191 of Mt. Airy. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church of Popular Springs where he was a member of the Holy Name Society.

Among his interests, he was an avid sportsman, which included hunting and fishing; he also enjoyed weekly trips to Lancaster County, PA. collecting antiques and restoration of them in his home workshop. He had fun making homemade root beer and wine and loved horse racing.

In addition to his wife he is survived by three children, Francis "Bucky" Buckley, Jr. and wife, Joan of Frederick, Anne-Marie Buckley of Damascus, and Jane Standifer and Barry Blum of Gaithersburg.

Mr. Buckley was preceded in death by three brothers, John of California, Martin and Bernard, both of Maspeth, NY.

The family wishes to give a special "thank you" to the members of the Mt. Airy Fire Department, whose assistance and kindness, during his illness, was beyond measure. They also wish to remember his special horse racing buddy, Allen Burdette.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, 2007, at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 E. Ridgeville Blvd., Mt. Airy, MD.

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 13, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, St. Michael's Road, (Poplar Springs) Mt. Airy, MD. Reverend Kurt Klismet will officiate. Interment will be at St. Michael's Catholic Church Cemetery next to the church, immediately after mass.

Flowers are welcome, however, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Mt. Airy Fire Department, 702 N. Main Street, Mt. Airy, MD. 21771.