Fr. John A. Buckley

Fr. John A. Buckley, 84, of Ferry Road, passed away on April 19, 2025. Fr. John Buckley was born in Boston, MA., on November 20, 1940, to John J. and Sheila (Sullivan) Buckley. He was baptized in Mission Church Parish, Boston, MA.

He is survived by his siblings: Joan Hanley of North Reading, MA., Michael (Patricia) Buckley of Mansfield, MA., and William Buckley of Medfield, MA.; sister-in-law Joyce Buckley of West Roxbury, MA.; many nieces and nephews; and his friends among the Columban Fathers and the Columban Sisters.

He was predeceased by his siblings: Patrick Buckley, Mary Austin, Sheilda Shruhan, Thomas Buckley, Timothy Buckley, and Joseph Buckley.

Fr. Buckley attended St. Patrick's Grammar School from 1946 to 1952 and Washington Irving Jr. High School from 1952 to 1957. After graduating from Mission Church High School in 1959, he then went on to attend Boston College from 1960 to 1961. He then entered the Columban formation program and was ordained on December 21, 1968, in the Milton Seminary Chapel by Most Rev. Jeremiah F. Minihan Auxiliary Bishop of Boston.

In the autumn of 1969, he took up his assignment in Peru. In January 1985 John was appointed to Brazil. He served there until 2005 when he returned to the United States for medical treatment. He then went to El Paso, Texas to help out in Juarez, Mexico. After that time, he has been mainly at the Columban house in Bristol. He was involved in the prison ministry in RI and helping out at local parishes. He enjoyed gardening and following sports.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 24, 9 – 10:30 AM at the Columban Fathers Chapel, 65 Ferry Road, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Fr. Buckley’s name may be made to: Columban Fathers, 65 Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fr. John A. Buckley, please visit our floral store.