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Kevin Buckley June 4, 1933 - March 14, 2025

J. Kevin Buckley

Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 14th, 2025 at the age of 91:  beloved husband of Colette Buckley (nee Zieman) for 58 years; dear father of J. Kevin (Christie) Buckley; Dr. Daniel (Leslie) Buckley; Colette (Robert) O’Regan; Cara Droska; and Stephen Z. (Ellen) Buckley; loving grandfather of Brigid and Caroline Buckley; Daniel, John Tabor, Julie Elizabeth, and Eliza Buckley; Colette, Catherine, Kevin, Rob, Caroline, Cecilia, and Charlotte O’Regan; Matthew, Daniel, and Stephen Droska; and Patrick Christopher Buckley; prayer father of Jake, Andrew, and Louis; dear brother of Theresa Campbell; dear uncle and cousin.

Kevin was born in New York City to Daniel and Margaret (Morrissroe) Buckley on June 4th, 1933.  He was educated by the Institute of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and on graduation from St. Luke’s grade school in the Bronx entered that teaching order in Metuchen, New Jersey.  Kevin graduated from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, while teaching in their schools in New York, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana from 1952-1959.  In 1960, he volunteered for a 5-year tour in Kenya and Uganda teaching various tribes the reading and writing skills necessary for taking the Cambridge Exams, which if passed allowed the student to apply to any college in the world.  97% of his students passed those challenging exams and he was always happy he was able to help these young men pursue college degrees.

Kevin resigned from the Institute and came to Saint Louis where he obtained his Masters and Doctorate in Modern European History in 1970 and 1972.  He continued his teaching career at Christian Brothers College (CBC) and DeSmet Jesuit High School from 1966-1980.  He enjoyed the lifelong friendships with faculty and students made at the two high schools.

Kevin joined Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Company in 1980 studying and learning that challenging business so well he became the Agent of the Year in 1998.  He continued that career until 2001, making friends with clients and other agents that lasted until his death.

Kevin Buckley was truly a man for others-loving his family, his friends, his life and his God. He is already missed.

Services:  Visitation and funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 5th at Little Flower Catholic Church, 1264 Arch Terrace, Richmond Heights, MO 63117.  Visitation at 11 a.m. with the Mass to follow at 12 Noon.  Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to CBC or DeSmet Jesuit.

Visitation and funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 5th at Little Flower Catholic Church, 1264 Arch Terrace, Richmond Heights, MO 63117.  Visitation at 11 a.m. with the Mass to follow at 12 Noon.  Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to CBC or DeSmet Jesuit.

Condolences(10)

  1. REPLY
    Bartley Morrisroe says
    April 16, 2025 at 3:31 am

    Deepest sympathy to Kevin and all his family. I met him on one of his visits to Ireland 1959. He was my cousin. May he rest in peace.
    Bartley Morrisroe.

  2. REPLY
    Emma Bishop says
    April 8, 2025 at 9:50 am

    An incredible man and kind neighbor. We will miss him greatly. Our deepest sympathies.
    – Emma and Will Bishop

  3. REPLY
    Joseph F. Boveri, MD says
    April 4, 2025 at 7:10 am

    I’m so sorry to hear of Dr. Buckley’s passing. He was a great teacher and role model and one of the most influential academicians I’ve had the pleasure to have been taught by . It was such an honor to be instructed by someone so accomplished—truly a gift to be taught by a Ph.D. in a high school class room. He was a tremendously positive influence and one that will be greatly missed. As he wrote one of the letters that I needed for medical school acceptance I am eternally grateful. You are remembered with appreciation and gratitude–one of your many grateful students, DeSmet Jesuit High School–class of 1979.

  4. REPLY
    Timothy says
    April 3, 2025 at 8:31 pm

    Best teacher I ever had at DeSmet. He loved teaching and it showed. He called me on my birthday every year for more than 20 years after I graduated DeSmet in 1980. He followed my progress through college, medical school, residency and even the early years of my practice. I feel somewhat guilty as I don’t remember mentoring anyone as well as he mentored me. I still love studying history, largely because of the influence of Dr. Buckley. It saddens me to know he is gone…to heaven.

  5. REPLY
    Paul Hippenmeyer says
    April 3, 2025 at 3:54 pm

    He was a great teacher. Sadly, most of today’s politicians failed to take his Middle East History class. I consider myself lucky to have had him. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Paul HIppenmeyer, DeSmet ’73

  6. REPLY
    Pauline Morrisroe says
    April 3, 2025 at 6:15 am

    Our US relations are always in our hearts here in Ireland, and even more so at a sad time like this. Our prayers are with all of Kevin’s family now, may God comfort you all, and ease the pain of your grief. And may Kevin’s gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.

  7. REPLY
    Kitty and Brendan O'Malley says
    April 2, 2025 at 2:08 pm

    Deepest sympathy to Kevin, and all the Buckley, Morrisroe, and extended families, on the recent sad passing of our dear cousin J. Kevin Buckley, May he rest in peace. Some of us are old enough to remember his visits to Ireland, and we have very fond memories of the warm and pleasant gentleman that Kevin was. We are thinking of all his family at this sad time, and praying that God and His Holy Mother will comfort and console you in your sad loss.
    We hope to join you on line for Kevin’s Mass on the 5th of April and pray together for the eternal repose of his gentle soul.
    Ar dheis Dé go raibh a Anam deílis ☘️
    Love, fond thoughts and prayers always ❤️

  8. REPLY
    Jim Cantwell, says
    March 31, 2025 at 3:19 pm

    A man for all seasons. Best teacher I ever encountered. And, he loved his family dearly. May he rest in Peace. Jim Cantwell CBC ‘69

  9. REPLY
    Pat Cantwell says
    March 31, 2025 at 8:10 am

    On behalf of the CBC Cantwell family, our deepest condolences to Collette and all the children. Kevin possessed a foundation of immense knowledge, a silent but intense compassion for others, and the kindest heart. Every now and then his Irish would come out, and you knew you may have pushed a wee bit too far. We enjoyed the many conversations with him, with Collette at his side, reminiscing, talking current affairs, and making sure there was a good laugh sprinkled throughout. You will be missed but we will take comfort in knowing how many lives of young men you positively impacted.
    St. John de Baptiste…Pray for Us. Live Jesus in our Hearts…..Forever.

  10. REPLY
    Jeff Kramer '81 says
    March 28, 2025 at 2:18 pm

    Dr. Buckley was one of my favorite teachers at De Smet. I always enjoyed his history classes. The funny thing is, I can still remember him telling us students, “When filling out forms and applications, you don’t have to write down your SSN – and certainly NEVER give it out to anyone in person or over the phone!” What a great lesson that was, and I honestly don’t remember a quote like that from any other teacher!

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