PAUL JOHN BUCKLEY

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Paul John Buckley in Montréal, QC, on December 27, 2025, in the presence of loved ones. Paul was born in Montréal on April 29, 1938, to William and Emma Buckley (Pelletier), the first of four boys. He was a brilliant scholar earning a Bachelor of Science from Loyola College, where he forged close friendships with many arts students, and a Doctorate in Chemistry from the Université Laval in 1967. He had an insatiable intellectual curiosity which knew no boundaries. He was equally at home in chemistry and physics, literature and poetry, philosophy and religion. He himself was a poet, visual artist, research scientist and professor, disciple of Catholic mysticism and Buddhism, producer of radio programs, and more. He was an associate professor of chemistry at Université Laval (1967-1972), the executive science producer for Ideas hosted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio (1972-1975) and a science adviser to the governments of Saskatchewan (1977-79) and Canada (1980-1987). Paul's extensive body of work includes a highly successful 20-part series for CBC Radio Ideas, entitled "Physics and Beyond." It was co-produced with the late F. David Peat, and featured conversations with scientists involved in some of the most exciting developments in modern physics and biology. The series led to the publications, A Question of Physics (1979) and Glimpsing Reality (1996). Paul was also a loving and creative father to Dominique, Melina, and Paul (with first wife, Lorraine Buckley (Kopelchuk)) and Thomas and Liam (with second wife, Claudia Buckley (Cunnington)). His children have fond memories of his gentleness, tireless play, loving attention, talented storytelling, intellectual companionship, and terrific sense of humour. Paul was predeceased by his parents, William and Emma Buckley; brothers, Brian and Ronald; and his beloved daughter, Dominique (Alan). He leaves to celebrate his life, his children: Melina (J.J.), Paul (Nicoletta), Thomas and Liam (Nicole); grandchildren: Meaghen (Annie), Maija (Artem), Mieka (Ian), Céline, Stefano and Mikele; and great-grandchildren: Karl, Emma, Westley, Edmund, and Michael. He will also be remembered by his brother, Terry; his cousin, Susan Pelletier; and steadfast companion, Claudia. A funeral and celebration of life will be held in Ottawa.