Clayton Arnold Buckingham died at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital on November 13, 2010 at the age of 82. Among those mourning this gentle man’s passing are his wife of 55 years, Maureen J. (Young) Buckingham; children Rick (Kathy) Buckingham of Fredericton, Chris (Michael) McCain of Toronto and Beth (Paul) Baxter of Bedford, N.S.; 11 grandchildren; sisters Ruth McMullin of Woodstock, N.B. and Beatrice (Cecil) Lahey of Toronto; extended family and many friends. Clayton Buckingham was, above all, a great family man and friend. He grew up in a large family with a twin brother Leighton by his side. He welcomed a house full of children, grandchildren, friends and neighbours. He greeted everyone with a warm smile, a firm handshake and time to listen. Whether it was in Florenceville, Florida or at the camp, he loved spending time with his friends and family. He often made trips to visit his grandchildren and family and spent many hours around the dinner table listening to stories, sharing laughs or enjoying a late night bowl of ice cream. Mr. B, as he was known to many, was an entrepreneur. He worked in retail throughout the Maritimes but was best known for Buckingham’s Department Store in Florenceville, N.B. where he and his family settled for over 40 years. Mr. B took great pride in his work and greeted all his customers looking ever so sharp in a jacket, tie and smile. Mr. B and his twin were natural athletes with a competitive spirit. They played on the Woodstock Red Raiders National Championship Basketball team in 1946 and he later won the Men’s Senior Curling Championship title in 1983. He was an avid outdoorsman with a love for fishing, hunting and golf. He raised and trialed English Pointers and made wonderful friendships that lasted his lifetime. Mr. B was a very spiritual man and an active member of the Baptist church. He was a member of the Rotary Club, the Masons, the Elks Club and was well known in his community for his kind and generous nature. Clayton was predeceased by his parents Benjamin and Elizabeth (Stewart) Buckingham; twin brother Leighton; brother Cyril and sisters Juanita Fewer, Kaye Hamilton, Alethia Harley and Ella Cook.
Visitation will be held at Bishop’s Funeral Home, 540 Woodstock Road, Fredericton on Tuesday, November 16th from 7 to 9 PM. A funeral service will be held at Grace Memorial Baptist Church, Fredericton on Wednesday, November 17th at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Doug Hapeman officiating. Pallbearers will be grandsons Alex and Mark Buckingham, Jonathan and Scott McCain, Christopher and Michael Baxter. Burial will be private for family only in the Rural Cemetery with a reception to follow at the Delta Hotel, Woodstock Road, Fredericton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society, the S.P.C.A. or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences and the sharing of memories may be expressed through www.bishopsfuneralhome.com