Thomas Leonard Buckley

Thomas (Tom) Leonard Buckley, age 52, of Detroit, Michigan, passed away on January 29, 2026. He was born on February 22, 1973, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Tom was the beloved son of Mary Ann Buckley; loving brother of Melissa (Bradford) Allen; cherished uncle of Luke and Leo Allen; and dear nephew of Kenneth (Baerbel) Buckley. He was preceded in death by his loving father, Thomas Neise Buckley, and his grandparents, Thomas Eugene and Evelyn Buckley, and Anna and Leonhard Hitzler.

Tom moved frequently with his family while growing up, living in West Virginia, Alberta, Canada, and Indiana. These experiences shaped him, making him adaptable and fostering a lasting curiosity about the world. After high school, he earned his bachelor's degree from Ball State University and began working in the Point of Sale (POS) industry, which suited his knack for hardware and problem-solving. He was knowledgeable, well respected in his field, and known for his strong work ethic, intelligence, and dedication. His work also gave him the opportunity to travel frequently throughout the United States and Canada, allowing him to experience new places along the way.

After college, Tom settled in Detroit, where he became fascinated by the city's resurgence and, through his work in the POS industry, its diverse and growing food scene. In his spare time, he was endlessly curious and enjoyed 3D printing, tinkering, computer hardware, and programming. He had an exceptional understanding of technology and could fix nearly anything. Tom generously shared his knowledge with others, including spending countless hours helping his nephew build a computer. He also knew how to have fun and enjoyed bowling, video games, heavy metal music (he could name all the bass players), and spending time with family and friends.

Above all, Tom will be remembered as a smart and strong man who cared about others and was always willing to help.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, 1955 E. Commerce Rd., Milford, Michigan, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with gathering beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will take place at St. Mary Cemetery. Following our burial, friends and family are welcomed to a funeral lunchone in Tom's memory at Union 212 in Milford starting at 12:45PM.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Thomas Buckley may be made to the MGH Cardiac ICU Fund. Gifts can be made online at giving.massgeneral.org/donate/ or mailed to the MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. Checks can be made payable to Massachusetts General Hospital, with tribute to Thomas Buckley on the memo line.