Charles William Buckler

Born on April 11, 1927, Charlie was the son of immigrants from Newfoundland and the Island of Guernsey. He was the middle child of William and Edith Buckler and lived and loved his whole life on Cape Cod. He graduated from Barnstable High School in 1945 and married Elaine (Burnham) Buckler in 1949. Together, they built a life in Centerville surrounded by family and friends. He definitely missed Elaine everyday after she passed in June 2022.

Charlie is survived by his large loving family including his children Sue Herman (Bruce), Gary Buckler (Karen), Jean Planert (Tom), and Bruce Buckler (Patty Chadwick). He had eleven grandchildren: Abigail Buckler, Aaron Buckler, Nathan Buckler, David Herman, Ben Planert, Leslie Buckler, Susie Pescosolido, Matthew Herman, Alex Buckler, Mae Planert, and Zachary Buckler. He is also survived by his eight great grandchildren Eva Herman, Miles Herman, Charlie Pescosolido, Cullen Buckler, Teddy Pescosolido, Nina Buckler, Quinlan Buckler, and Van Normand. Charlie was so proud and loved us all.

In his early adult years with the support of his wife Elaine, Charlie started his own businesses, first as Buckler’s Auto Body and then Buckler’s Towing Service, and Buckler’s GMC. He was also a Fuso, Isuzu, and Autocar dealer. This legacy now known as Buckler’s Inc. and Buckler’s Towing Service has continued to thrive under the direction of his sons Gary and Bruce Buckler and grandsons Nathan and Alex Buckler who learned from Charlie the importance of caring for the customer. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind and was supportive of his sons and grandsons. He always loved to know what was going on with his trucks and customers. Up until a few weeks ago, he made regular visits to the office to get the latest updates on jobs completed and to keep a watchful eye on those red trucks. His shiny red trucks are recognized all over Cape Cod and beyond, making all of us proud.

Charlie lived a full life and was a presence wherever he went. He was engaged and social to the very end, even making new friends in the last years of his life. His work ethic is legendary and he passed on his risk taking and entrepreneurial spirit to his children and grandchildren. He had an exceptional memory and was a great story teller. We will miss his stories about the Cape and the way he always pointed out towing jobs that he had done. Charlie had a dry sense of humor with great one liners that always made us laugh. Golf, gardening, animals, and restoring vintage and antique cars were some of Charlie’s many passions.

As a young teenager, Charlie learned the game of golf when he was a caddy at the Cummaquid Golf Club. Through the years, he played regularly with family and friends all over Cape Cod and in many places throughout the country and the world. He participated in tournaments and shared his love of golf with family members. For many years, he was a member of the Hyannisport Golf Club. He continued to play almost every week through the last year of his life.

Charlie’s family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Maplewood Mill Hill and the Visiting Angels of Cape Cod.

Visiting hours will be held at Doane Beal & Ames in Hyannis Massachusetts on January 11, 2026 from 1-4 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to the MSPCA: MSPCA-Angell.1577 Falmouth Rd. Centerville, MA 02632 https://www.mspca.org

Please include a note or memo to specify that it is a tribute gift in honor of Charles Buckler.