Leo J. Buckley Jr., a 58-year resident of Needham, died on Friday, February 12, 2010 at his home. He was 83.

He was born October 9, 1926 in Boston, the son of the late Leo J. and Margarita (Keough) Buck­ley.

Mr. Buckley grew up in New­ton and was a graduate of New­ton High School and attended Boston College.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 and was honorably discharged in 1946. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theatre Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal.

He was the former owner of Buckley’s News and Books in Boston and the founder and for­mer

owner of L and M News, a newspaper distributorship.

In 1951 Leo married Mar­garet Sweeney. They settled in Needham in 1952. Mr. and Mrs. Buckley were founding members of the Need­ham Pool and Racquet Club.

A member of St. Bartholom­ew Parish, Mr. Buckley assisted the St. Bartholomew’s Marching Band as a chaperone for many years.

He was a former Needham Little League coach and Need­ham Girls Softball coach. He was the beloved husband of the late Margaret T. (Sweeney) Buckley and the loving father of Leo and Doreen Buckley of Franklin, Chris and Lynne Buck­ley of San Diego, California, Paul Buckley of Weymouth, Terry Buckley of Needham, and Joan and Rob Abramson of Norfolk. He was the proud grandfather of his nine grandchildren: Leo J. Buckley IV, and his wife, Geneva Buckley, of Pensacola, Florida; Brian Buckley of Marlborough; Sean and Nicholas Buckley of Franklin; Erin and Ryan Buckley of San Diego, California; Michael Kiser and Nicole and Derick Abramson, all of Norfolk.

He is also survived by his four great-grandchildren, Tyler and Owen Buckley of Pensacola and Brian and Caleb Buckley of Marlborough.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Eaton Funeral Home in Needham. Donations in Leo’s name may be made to the Amer­ican

Diabetes Association, 330 Congress Street, 5th Floor, Bos­ton, Mass. 02210.