The obituary notice of John BUCKLEY

Mr Buckley was my history teacher from year 7 to year 13. He, hands down, was my favourite teacher and what a teacher he was. It is so sad to hear of his passing and I send my deepest condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

So sad to hear about Mr Buckley’s passing. Sending lots of love and strength to his loved ones navigating life with this incredible loss.

Mr Buckley, I always wished I got in contact and gave you an update on life after St Michael’s, there’s a lesson in that alone for me to unpack. I’m pretty sure, you knew you were my favourite teacher at STM. You were a special teacher, who had the ability to teach with such banter, kindness, but also no nonsense, even if we wanted to be kids and mess around we wouldn’t in your class. It felt like such a privilege to be taught by you (just last week I was recounting something I learnt in your history lessons). It is an honour to have ever known you and to be taught by you. Rest in perfect peace, Sir.

Whenever I was registering for something online and it asked me to select a favourite question... The question choice would be easy.

'Favourite teacher'

The answer to that question would be easy too.

'Mr Buckley'

Obviously now I've made this public I will have to change it up.

but on just the teaching level first and foremost, we all witnessed a master class in teaching.

You had us in line. You made me cry in year 7 btw, you accused me of something I didn't of and you bent down to shout in my face about it looool I was furious with myself afterwards because I didn't even cry after getting beatings but I cried after someone shouting at me.

I tell that anecdote because I cared that you respected me, you had people caring, you encouraged healthy competition of being smart within classes.

Your class wasn't the class to mess around in, you were our head of year, and you gave us rewards for attendance and excellence. The intention behind your teaching. Pop quizzes to make sure we retained key information. As referenced motivation by having past leavers on the door.

I think if you put your mind to football you would've been battling with Alex Ferguson for the Premier League, because the craft whether it was being a history teacher or head of year, you had high intention behind everything you did.

You used to repeat sentences with facts in them as you were speaking so we would be more likely to remember them.. Me and my brother Peter used to joke that you would start off lessons by saying.... "I'm only going to say this once... I'm only going to say this once".. Any way I can go on, It will always be a big regret of mine that I didn't reach out to you intermittently after I left. That's another big lesson you have taught me. Amazing teacher and an amazing man. Big love to Mr.Buckley his family and his friends!!

Thank you so very much for all of your amazing tributes. We are all very proud of how he has had such an effect on your lives. ♥️

RIP Mr Buckley.

One of my favourite teachers during my time at St Michaels. You made me truly love history.

Farrah Ohue (nee Hilton)
St Michaels Rc (1999 - 2004)