Obituary of Judge Peter Buckley

Elmira: Age 66, passed away peacefully at his home, on Monday, July 8, 2013, surrounded by the love of his family. Peter was born in Geneva NY on January 30, 1947, son of the late Dorothy (Dillon) and Maurice F. Buckley. Peter is survived by his wife of 36 years, Kathleen Sullivan Buckley; children, Peter C. Buckley, Jr. and wife Erin of Malvern PA, and their children, Jack, Molly and Finn; Elizabeth D. Buckley, Rochester NY; Patrick S. Buckley, Philadelphia PA; and Kathleen M. Buckley, Philadelphia PA; siblings, and their families, Ellen and Kevin McGuinn, Brooklyn NY, and children, Courtney (Tom), Katie (Brian), Kevin (Cristine) and Allison; Timothy and Eileen Buckley, Geneva NY, and children, Bridget (Dan), Annemarie, Mary, and Grace; Katie Buckley and husband Gordon Macklem, Malvern PA, and children Nicholas and Sadie; Ann and Carl Wenzel, Geneva NY, and children, Andrew (Angela), Caroline (Ryan) and Maureen; Jerry and Anne Buckley, Wilmington DE, and children, Rebecca, Dillon, Madeline and Frances; great nephew and great nieces, Peter, Eleanor and Zoe; mother and father-in-law, Mary (Marinan) and Thomas J. Sullivan, Elmira; sister-in-law Susan Sullivan and children, Sandi (Bill), Meghan, and Joe (Tania); brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Daniel and Bobbie Sullivan and daughter MacKenzie; Thomas and MaryAnn Sullivan and children, Katie and Courtney. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law John M. Sullivan. In his personal life and professional career, Peter was an ardent supporter of education.　 He graduated from DeSales High School (Geneva) in 1964, Niagara University in 1968, and St. John's University School of Law in 1971.　Peter moved to Elmira in 1974 to become a Chemung County Assistant District Attorney from 1974-1979. In 1980 he started his judicial career as an Elmira City Court Judge while also continuing in private practice. Since 1996 he served as Chemung County Court Judge until his recent retirement. He also served as President of the NYS Association of City Court Judges (1994-1995) and NYS County Judges' Association (2007-2008). His community involvement included the Board of Directors of Notre Dame High School, American Red Cross, Glove House, Kiwanis Club, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Southside Community Center, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council, and Compeer Family Services. Peter was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Parish. The central focus of Peter's life was his family, his devotion to his work, and the New York Mets. Peter's family wishes to thank his co-workers, friends and caregivers for their love and concern. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira on Thursday, July 11, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, July 12, 2013 at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church, Elmira. Interment, with committal prayers, will follow at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may remember Peter with a donation to Notre Dame High School, 1400 Maple Avenue, Elmira NY 14904. Officers and members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians will meet at the funeral home on Thursday, at 5:40 p.m. to conduct a service for our brother Peter. Signed, Dan O'Herron, President