Stephen J. “Papi” Buckley

Stephen J. “Papi” Buckley, 57, of Ipswich, died August 1, 2008 in the North Shore Medical Center in Salem after a courageous battle with a brief illness.

He was born August 27, 1950 in Salem, the son of the late John E. and Rena M. (Gaudet) Buckley.  His special step-mother, Marion (Smith) Buckley passed away in 2003.  Steve lived on Great Neck with his soul mate and love, Rebecca Lawton.

He was raised in Peabody, and graduated from Peabody High School.

Steve was a dedicated sports fan and followed each New England team to their successes with great joy.  A real estate appraiser by profession, in his spare time he tended beautiful gardens which overflowed with flowers, herbs and vegetables.  He enjoyed long walks around the Neck in Ipswich with his beloved Puppy Girl Snuggles; often stopping to make many visits along the way.

Steve will be deeply missed by his two daughters, Sara (Buckley) Nevares and husband Gustavo, of Manchester, NH, and Abbey Buckley, of Marblehead, MA.  Papi is also survived by his beautiful grandchildren, Giovanni Esteban (Stephen) “Little Buck” Nevares and Nevaeh Kathleen “Nevie” McCarthy, his sisters, Mary Alice Stadum of Walnut Creek, CA and Bonnie Clarke of Raleigh, NC, her daughter Barbara Caufield of Lynn, and his brother Dennis Buckley and his family of Lynnfield. Steve also leaves behind his first wife, Joanne (Corning) McCarthy and her husband – Steve’s best friend – Michael “Mally” McCarthy of Fremont, NH. Steve was predeceased by his sister, Kathleen (Buckley) Jones of Arkansas. 

In addition to the many friends Steve made in his life, there will always be an empty spot in the lives of his special niece, Meghan Buckley of NY, and Becky’s children, Cora Simonds of St. Thomas, USVI and Patrick Small, of Seabrook, NH.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2008, at 1:00 pm, at the First Church in Ipswich on Meetinghouse Green.  There will be a private graveside service where he will join his sister Kathleen in Highland Cemetery, Ipswich. Arrangements by the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Stephen’s name with the American Cancer Society 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701, or with Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923.

Condolences may also be expressed at www.caringbridge.org/visit/stevebuckley