Harold F. Buckelew

1930 - October 18, 2011

Harold F. Buckelew has passed away. Harold was one of the founding members of the Bluegrass and Oldtime Music Association of New Jersey. Together with his wife Dot, Wayne and Dolly Farmer, Bill and Bev Hoffman, George and Joyce Burrows and Steve Hammond, he founded this organization that continues to this day. Multitudes of people have been introduced to and continue to enjoy bluegrass and oldtime music because of his efforts. His commitment and dedication to the preservation of this music is second to none. He will be missed by his loving wife Dot and all of us that had the pleasure of knowing him.

 

The story of the founding of BOTMA can be seen here.

Harold F. Buckelew

AGE: 81 • Milltown

Harold F. Buckelew, of Milltown died Tuesday at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. He was 81 years old. Born in New Brunswick, he lived there until moving to Milltown 61 years ago. Mr Buckelew was employed as a carpenter for Union Local 106 in Milltown for 60 years retiring 19 years ago. He was an Army Veteran serving during Peacetime. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church in Milltown, the Milltown Fire Department, NJ Exempt Fireman's Association, the Civil Air Patrol, the Amateur Ham Radio Club, Milltown Senior Citizens and founder of Blue Grass and Old Time Music Association.

He was predeceased by 2 brothers James and Joseph and a sister Mary. Surviving are his loving wife of 62 years Dorothy (Goodwin) Buckelew; 5 daughters Jean Buckelew of Somerset, Patricia Buckelew of Wilkes-Barre, PA, Sandra Espinal of Bound Brook, Kathleen La Barre of Bangor, PA, and Mary Mercado of Milltown; 3 brothers Edmund A. Jr. of Freehold, Richard of Florida and William of Piscataway and a sister Ann Frank of West Virginia. Also surviving are 20 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Private services are under the direction of the Boylan Funeral Home, 188 Easton Ave. in New Brunswick.

Harold was one of the early supporters of the jamming workshop. He was always interested in how it was drawing new people into the organization. He would often watch and listen from the sidelines and give me a thumbs up. He also was very generous, and brought in some teaching materials that he wanted me to give to the slow jam students, to help them on their musical journey.

His founding of BOTMA has really contributed to giving me a lot of personal satisfaction and joy in my life. I'm very thankful that he helped conceive the organization, and it is still going strong so many years later. Thank you Harold, for all that you have done! You will be missed by many, but your gift of music continues to live in me and many others.

Yours truly,

Heidi Pohle