Tom Buckley

Tom Buckley, age 81, of Kinnelon, NJ passed away peacefully at home, on Friday, August 8, 2025, in the presence of his loving wife Diane.

Tom was born in North Adams, Massachusetts to Joseph and Helen Buckley on January 23, 1944. He was raised in Bronx, NY and later moved to New Milford, NJ where he lived for the majority of his formative childhood years. Tom attended St. Bonaventure University in Saint Bonaventure, NY and graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, NJ with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Philosophy. During this time, he was Chairman of the Fine Arts Committee and was instrumental in securing Dr. Benjamin Spock as a speaker. Throughout his life, Tom lived in Woodland Park, Paterson, Totowa, and Kinnelon where he resided for the past 31 years.

Tom’s professional career included 30 dedicated years at the Passaic County Board of Social Services where he worked tirelessly to support his clients and families. Early in his career, he was named Supervisor of the Child Support and Paternity Unit. Later, he designed, developed, and implemented a variety of systems integrating the use of computer science into public administration. In his role as Management Specialist, his work assisted agencies across New Jersey and gained recognition by state and national authorities. Tom retired in 1998 to pursue his interests in public service and travel. 

During his time at Social Services, Tom developed a passion for politics. Although never a candidate himself, Tom was largely responsible for assisting innumerable candidates in their quest for elected office. Tom was consistently sought after for guidance as his counsel was considered to be invaluable. His creative mind and intellect produced highly effective campaign messaging and advertisements. He was considered to be one of the best political operatives in New Jersey. 

Tom was a compassionate man who was deeply dedicated to his family and friends. Those who knew Tom appreciated his wicked sense of humor and at times mischievous and playful nature. He was an engaging storyteller and a skilled and avid tennis player. As a child, Tom spent summers at his beloved family cabins in Ware, Massachusetts. His experiences as a young child at “Camp”, led to a lifelong love of nature and the natural environment. It also sparked his joy for the game of baseball and enthusiasm for the Boston Red Sox. Over a period of 15 summers, Tom, along with his sons and friends, attended baseball games in each and every stadium in the U.S. Tom loved to travel and he instilled this sense of adventure in his grandchildren by taking each child to Europe after high school graduation.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Diane (nee DiPaolo), his two sons: Michael & his wife Amanda Marchesani, Matthew Buckley & his partner Lauren Smyla, and five cherished grandchildren: Christopher, Samantha, Kayla, Connor, and Sage.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center would be greatly appreciated.

Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Tom Buckley.