Timothy “Chief” Buckley
Timothy Frank Buckley “The Chief” passed away on May 13th. His death was due to complications brought on by Alzheimer’s disease. He was 87 years old.
The Chief, as he loved to be addressed by, was born on April 2, 1938, to Wilfred Joseph Buckley and Edith Coleman. The second of two sons, the Chief was raised in his beloved Newport, Rhode Island. He graduated from Rogers High School in 1955. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy and later the U.S. Navy Seabees. He thoroughly loved his military career and serving his country. He served with distinction until his retirement in 1990. He retired with the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. During his service, he achieved his greatest accomplishment: becoming the first in the Navy to become a Registered Civil Engineer without an advanced degree. After retirement from the service, the Chief continued working for various engineering firms in California and Rhode Island. He enthusiastically donated his time and energy to the Seabee Museum at Port Hueneme, California and loved every minute of it!
The Chief, also known as “The Iron Eagle” (from his role as an extra in the 1986 movie) deeply loved and cared about his family, friends, country and canine pets, Finn being his most recent companion. He took on the responsibility of raising three sons: Peter and Mark Zakis and Timothy Francis Buckley. He was married to his lovely and devoted wife Valerie for 53 years.
A resident of Ventura, California since 1974, the Chief is survived by his immediate family, daughter-in-law Cristina, grandsons Ricky and Paul, brother, Bill of Newport, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A special thank you to Rene Gomez and Carena Rush for many years of compassionate and dependable caregiving to the Chief as well as all the other caregivers over the years that assisted our family. Also, thanks to Mission Hospice for always being there and helping along the way.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Alzheimer’s Association or the Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme. The family will be having private services and burial. Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.