Ernest W. Buckley

Ernest W. Buckley, 96, formerly of Camp Hill, PA, passed away on March 31 at his home in Bethany Village in Mechanicsburg.
Born July 13, 1928, in Biddeford, Maine, he was the son of the late Ernest D. and Louise (Meikle) Buckley.
He is preceded in death by one sister, Norma Bittings, and survived by two others, Kathleen Wilson and Betty Buckley.
Ernie spent his youth in Biddeford and Portland, Maine. He was a WWII Navy veteran, enlisting upon graduation from high school and serving aboard the USS Toledo.
Ernie attended the University of Notre Dame on the GI Bill, purchasing a one-way bus ticket from Portland, Maine to South Bend, Indiana in 1949 to plead his case for enrollment after three times being denied admission. Four years later, at his graduation from Notre Dame, Ernie was recognized with a Dome Award, presented to four distinguished graduates who had contributed the most to the University community during their time on campus. He later earned his MBA from New York University.
In August 1953, Ernie married the love of his life, Mary T. (Conroy) Buckley. They were married for more than 71 years when Mary predeceased him this past November.
He is survived by their six children and spouses, Kathleen Murren (Philip) of Camp Hill, Patricia Ades (Thomas) of Hilton Head, SC, Kevin Buckley (Amanda) of Richmond, VA, Michael Buckley (Eilleen) of Merrick, NY, Nancy McNally (Mark) of Palmyra, PA, and Daniel Buckley (Johanna Kelly) of Sinking Spring, PA. He is also survived by his eighteen grandchildren, Andrew, Austin, Patrick, Erin, David (Anastasia), Ryan (Jade), Brian (Chelsea), Colin, Emmett (Emma), Laura (Harrison), Sean, Kristen, Kevin (Katelyn), Isaac, Michaela, Mary Shea, Thomas (Kara), and Daniel, and six great grandchildren, Evan, Owen, Lewis, Cecilia, Claire, and Maxwell.
Ernie's successful business career, primarily in the areas of Operations and Human Resources Management, included positions in New York and Connecticut, and ultimately led him and his family to relocate to Pennsylvania in 1967. He retired in 1993 as Director of Customer Service at Capital Blue Cross. Ernie dedicated substantial time and energy to community and public service, including serving on the Trinity High School Board of Directors and as chairman of the 1972 Capital Region United Way campaign. Ernie is also the past president of the Notre Dame Club of Harrisburg and served as director of the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association Board.
He was a beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Ernie had a gift for friendship. He made friends readily and stayed connected with the many friends he made throughout his life. He enjoyed the company of family and friends and was renowned for his love of sharing stories and jokes. He also loved to golf, playing regularly into his 90s.
A longtime member of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish in New Cumberland, Ernie was a man of deep faith. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, at St. Theresa Parish, 1300 Bridge St., New Cumberland, PA. A viewing will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4 at the Myers-Baker Funeral Home, 1903 Market St., Camp Hill, PA. Burial will follow the mass on Saturday in Rolling Green Cemetery, Camp Hill, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Buckley Library Fund (Trinity High School, 3601 Simpson Ferry Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011), the Harrisburg Notre Dame Club Scholarship Fund (120 Main Building, Notre Dame, IN 46556), or to St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish (1300 Bridge St., New Cumberland, PA 17070).