Former Doylestown Man Remembered As 'A True Gentleman'

MACUNGIE, PA — Eugene William Buckley of Macungie and formerly of Doylestown passed away peacefully on October 28, 2023 at his home. He was 90.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. All who knew him considered him the epitome of a “True Gentleman”. He was married to Nora Timlin Buckley for more than 63 years prior to her passing in 2022.

Eugene “Gene” was born on Jan. 29, 1933 in New York City to Jeremiah and Annie O’Donovan Buckley. His parents were immigrants from County Cork, Ireland. He came from a large Irish family and had seven siblings. Gene was the youngest and is preceded in death by all seven siblings and their wives: Timothy, Jerry (Jerry Lee), John (Elsie), Catherine (Tony) Ceravolo, Patrick (Josephine), Michael (Marie) and William (Mary).

Gene had an unbelievable work ethic and a charismatic personality which led him to many successes in life. His parents and siblings worked hard to find the American dream and they were successful in achieving those goals.

He met the love of his life Nora Timlin at an Irish dance in New York City and the rest is history. He loved her Irish accent and family. He would make over 30 trips back to Ireland over the years to spend time with Nora’s and his family's relations. Her large Irish family consisted of 11 children, preceded in death by David (Agnes), Mary Atnally (Edward), Agnes Flannery (James), Johnny, TP and Martin. Surviving are Nancy Deane (deceased Tony), Michael, Eileen McCormack (deceased Don), Paddy (Breedge), sister in laws, Nancy and Josephine Timlin. He had over 60 nieces and nephews. This huge family made life very interesting for the Buckley-Timlin Clan.

He served his country as an officer in the Army during the Korean War. After the war, he worked very hard and held a job at Sperry-Univac during the day and attended Columbia University at night. After he graduated, he continued his career at Sperry, later known as Unisys for over 40 years. He retired as the Corporate Controller of Unisys Worldwide Marketing and Services. He traveled the globe for business.

After retirement, he continued with various financial positions at Decision Data. He was not one to sit still for very long and was on the board of Directors of Einstein Hospital System, Montgomery Community College, Financial Executive Institute of Philadelphia and on the building committee of St. Jude Catholic Church and after the church was rebuilt, then later at St. Robert’s Bellarmine.

A resident of Doylestown for more than 35 years, he was a member of The Knights of Columbus and the Doylestown Country Club. After retirement, he and Nora moved to Macungie and became active members of St. Thomas More Church.

Gene was a devout Catholic, held strong Republican values, and was not afraid to voice his opinions. All his achievements were not nearly as important as his family. He was a devoted husband, he and Nora had four children, Joan Going of Easton, Betty Trymbiski (Brian) of Doylestown, Marian Pany (Steve) of Allentown, and daughter-in-law Susan Buckley of Ashburn, VA. He was preceded in death by his wife Nora Timlin Buckley, one son Eugene “Gene” of Ashburn, VA and son-in-law, Dwight Smith of Allentown.

He had 12 grandchildren, Brian (Erika), Caitlin, Ted (Erin), Jennifer (Jon), Patrick (Elise), Caroline (Travis), Sean, Kevin (Erica), Collin, Claire and Evan. Gene was preceded in death by one grandchild David Thomas. He was a great-grandfather to six, Avery, Mason, Nora, Rowan, Teddy and Owen. Two more are expected in 2024.

All of his children and grandchildren have fond memories of the summer houses in Upstate New York, the Pocono Mountains and 25 years of winters in Fort Myers, Florida. Those memories included many hours riding in the golf cart, swimming in the pool or hanging around the house with the hope of hearing, “Who wants to go for ice cream?” You would always get a call that started with, “Do you want to go out for breakfast?”

"We will miss the many hours of conversation and all who knew him could pick up the phone at any time to get the best advice," said family members. "You would receive the daily text about what was going on in the world, the various pictures that he had taken or just to say hello. We find comfort in knowing that he is in the loving arms of God along with his wife, Nora and son, Gene who were waiting for him."

A viewing will take place Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, 1601 W. Hamilton St., Allentown. On Friday morning, Nov. 3, a viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Church. Following the viewing, the Eulogy will be at 10:30 a.m. and a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at St Thomas More Catholic Church, 1040 Flexer Avenue, Allentown.