Captain John “Jay” Stanley Buckley, 79, of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away Monday, December 5, 2016 at Tidewell Hospice House in Port Charlotte, FL.

Born November 12, 1937 in La Vale, Maryland, to the late Stanley and Nellie Buckley, Jay, graduated from McDonogh School, in Baltimore, MD, and attended the University of Houston, Texas. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corp. Reserve, the bulk of Jay’s adult professional life was spent with the Wyeth Division, American Home Products. This sum of service was 37 Years including 10 years management in Critical Care in the Greater Washington-Baltimore Area. Jay lived in Harrisburg, PA for 30 years and was an avid skier, skiing throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, and was a member of the Round Top Mountain Ski Patrol, and Past President of the Susquehanna Ski Club, both in Mechanicsburg, PA. Jay resided next in Annapolis, Maryland. During this ten year period he earned his U.S.C.G 100 Ton Masters License. He was an active member of the Chesapeake Area Pilots & Captains Association (CAPCA) and was a member of the founding membership of the Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis.

Jay and his wife arrived in Punta Gorda by boat in 1998 and lived at Fisherman Village Marina until their home was completed. Jay was Capt for Kingfisher Tours out of Fisherman’s Village and operated the Tour Boat at The Navigator. He has 50 years of boating including Sail and Power. During this period he and his wife cruised in excess of 20,000 miles. This travel included the East Coast of U.S., Canada, Great Lakes, Bahamas and Exhumes as well as major rivers on a seven month cruise of the Great Loop.

Since arriving in Punta Gorda Jay worked long and hard and was instrumental in getting the Pump-Out Boat for the area, the mooring Field off Laishley Marine; and the Alligator Creek Cut-Through. Jay worked tirelessly as President for the Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance Committee for a number of years. Chairman of Learn to Sail Program; Helped with securing weather station in the harbor, Appointed by the County Commissioners to the Charlotte County Marine Advisory Committee and, served on the Team Punta Gorda Maritime Committee. He was a member of Burnt Store Presbyterian Church; The Mariners Boating Club; the Elks Lodge #2606, Charlotte County Republican Club; and St Andrews Golf Club.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years Patricia, Son Jeff (Brenda) Laher, Port St Lucie, Fl; Son Alan (Sharon) Skelly, Mechanicsburg, PA; Daughter Diane DiMaria of Port St Lucie, FL and Daughter Judy Skelly, Mechanicsburg, PA. Grandchildren Jason Laher, Amarillo, Texas; Christopher Laher, Stuart, Fl; Craig Skelly, Chad Skelly, Triston Skelly, Michelle McGarvey, and Melyssa McGarvey (Justin Helal) and 1 Great-Granddaughter Brooke all of the Mechanicsburg, PA area.   He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jay was preceded in death by his first wife Nancy, Brother Murray and grandson Ryan.

A Memorial service honoring Jay’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church in Punta Gorda.

In lieu of flowers it is requested contributions be sent to Tidewell Hospice, Philanthropy Department, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34238.

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family.

Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Homes & Crematory Punta Gorda Chapel.