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Creeley Buchanan Obituary
AMHERST -- Creeley S. "Buck" Buchanan, 91, of Amherst, died peacefully at his home Nov. 21, 2008.
He was born in Watertown, Mass., on Oct. 4, 1917, to Alexander J. & Gertrude (Shepard) Buchanan.
He was a graduate of Arlington High School, Class of 1935, and the Tilton School, Class of 1936. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire, Class of 1940. Upon graduation, he worked for the Gallup Poll and later the Berlin Reporter.
He served in the Persian Gulf Command during World War II. He attained the rank of Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.
He was employed by Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company for 25 years. He was elected to three terms as a New Hampshire State Senator from 1965 to 1970. He later worked for the Federal Housing Authority for 10 years and was appointed as Area Director of HUD for Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, retiring in 1979.
IN HIS LIFE: Mr. Buchanan resided in Amherst for the past 58 years and was actively involved in the community, having served on numerous boards and committees, including school district moderator and town parade marshal. He was Amherst's Citizen of The Year in 1985.
Mr. Buchanan was a lifelong supporter of the University of New Hampshire. He was a founding member of the UNH 100 Club and a member of the Board of Trustees for 13 years. In 1990, the Creeley "Buck" Buchanan Distinguished Service Award was established and is given annually to a member of the UNH football team.
He was a member of the Mystic Valley Lodge F & AM, Arlington, Mass., and Bektash Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. in Concord. He was a member of the Manchester Rotary Club for nearly 30 years.
Mr. Buchanan was an active member of The Congregational Church of Amherst.
Family members include his wife of 62 years, Rosamond (Eckfeldt) Buchanan of Amherst; a daughter and son-in-law, Blair B. & J. Allan Clark of Culver, Ind.; three sons and daughters-in-law, Shepard C. & Julie Buchanan of Portland, Ore., Alexander S. & Cheryl Buchanan and Scott L. Buchanan, all of Amherst; seven grandchildren, Lt. Jeffrey A. Clark USN, Allison M. Clark, Melissa Davis, Rohanna S. Buchanan, Tricia L. Hayes, Robert K. Gray and Ashley M. Beach; five great-grandchildren, Liam, Milo and Lucile Davis, and Carter and Max Hayes.
SERVICES: Visiting hours are Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm St., Milford.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in The Congregational Church of Amherst, 11 Church St., Amherst. Burial will be in Meadowview Cemetery, Amherst. Memorial donations may be made to The University of New Hampshire Foundation, Inc., Elliot Alumni Center, 9 Edgewood Drive, Durham 03824.
Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford, is handling arrangements. To leave an online condolence, www.smith-heald.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Creeley Buchanan
Mary Miller
November 23, 2009
Wanted to let all the Buchanans, especially Roz, know that Buck lives just as lively as ever in the Mitiguys' memories! He was truly bigger than life, and we're thankful for that life.
Nancy Brown
November 17, 2009
A whole year has nearly gone by and I
still miss my weekly phone calls with
Buck. He was my friend and he will
always hold a special place in my heart.
Nancy Brown, UNH Football
Becky Banfield
December 10, 2008
New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, and therefore it was New Hampshire that put the document into effect. Buck Buchanan told me that years ago and I never forgot it. He was the real Old Man of the Mountain.
I have fond memories of the Buchanans visiting Blair and her family in Culver, and I send my sympathies to the whole family at this sad time.
Francis Gros Louis
November 26, 2008
Our entire Gros Louis family is deeply saddened by the passing of our long time friend Buck! My 9 years working closely with Buck at the Manchester Office of HUD and the many trips we took together gave us the opportunity to become close friends who trusted each other explicitly. He was a leader, a friend, a great politician, and a person we have never forgotten despite the miles and years that have passed in our friendship. Shirley and I want to extend our deepest sympathy to his wife and his children.
John H Moore
November 25, 2008
We are going to miss you from SAR
Mary Doane
November 25, 2008
Now I know why Buck was always at the front of the Memorial Day parade! That is how I remember him most vividly, is marching in the parade. I didn't know he was the marshall - just that he was always there. Just like Roz was always having us collect for Unicef on Halloween. But the most important thing about these memories is their presence; people in our little community who were always there. I think we were very blessed to grow up in that little town with adults who really watched over our community. Greetings and condolences to Roz, Blair, Shep, Alex and Scott. Carry on your father's good work.
Bob Doane
November 24, 2008
I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Roz, Blair, Shep, Alex and Scott. I was so sorry to hear of Buck's passing. My family resided on Middle Street just down the way from the Buchanan clan, and we spent many afternoons playing football and baseball with the Alex, Shep and Scott. I remember Buck's larger than life presence. Later, as an adult I gained a greater appreciation of his life of public service, his keen intellect and yankee honesty. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed.
Fred Hall
November 24, 2008
Dear Buck, I will miss you. My deepest sympathy to Roz and the children.
Fred Hall
Mary Mitiguy Miller
November 24, 2008
Like Bev, it's hard to be so far away, but we were so honored to have a brief visit with Roz and Buck on his 91st birthday.
All of the Mitiguys wish we could be there with our neighbors as you salute Buck. When we Mitiguys and Jones' freely intermingled in and out of the Buchanan's and our houses, Buck was sort of that stern, gruff man I didn't dare cross--but how I loved to hear my Dad tease him! Only as an adult did I begin to learn about Buck's encyclopedic memory and study of history, and his own illustrious accomplishments before and while we were just kids tormenting him. We were so very lucky to be neighbors, and our hearts are tied very tightly to the Buchanans today, and as always.
Paul Doane
November 23, 2008
I had the good fortune to grow up down the street from the Buchanan family. Creeley was one of the pillars of the community then, active in politics and busy raising four wonderful children.
I last saw Creeley a year and a half ago at the Manchester Country Club.
A contemporary of his, Bob MacLeod, had recently passed away and his children had a memorial event there. The MacLeods were another Amherst family then who lived near and grew up with the Buchanans. With a background in event videography, I brought my camera with me to get statements from guests and family members about Bob MacLeod, who like Creeley, lived a long and very memorable life. It's not the easiest thing to randomly grab people at an event like that, pull them into a hallway, and then get them to talk on camera about somebody else. Some people declined my offer. Not Creeley Buchanan. He must have been 90 years old then, and was clearly slowing down. His mind was sharp as a tack though, and he eagerly went into a very long dissertation about several great adventures he had with Bob MacLeod. Most of the twenty five or so people I interviewed talked for a minute or two. Creeley went on for over ten minutes, by far the longest of anyone there! His son Alex, an attorney, cornered me afterwards and said "Paul, don't you know better than to put a microphone and camera in front of a politician?"! We had a great laugh over it.
My heart goes out to the Buchanan family. I am deeply grateful to the many, many wonderful times I have had with everyone in the Buchanan family over the years. Creeley was kind and considerate to all.
Beverly Jones Heydinger
November 23, 2008
Since I am so far away, let me use this impersonal method to send my deep sympathy to all the Buchanans for the loss of Buck, our dear neighbor and friend for all of these many years. I am glad that I saw Roz and Buck on Buck's 91st birthday, so many great stories to remember and so many fond memories of the neighborhood. I think you will see Ken on Sunday and Don on Tuesday, and know that their hugs and expressions of sympathy echo mine.
Love to you all -
Beverly Jones Heydinger
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