Chemung County Court Judge Peter C. Buckley passed away on Monday, July 8th at the age of 66.
Judge Buckley served as Chemung County Court and Surrogate Court Judge for the past 17 years until his retirement this past May for health reasons.
Judge Buckley received his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law in 1971 and became an associate of the Jarvis, Pilz, Buckley and Treacy law firm in 1972. He became an assistant district attorney for Chemung County until 1979. From 1978 to 1981 he was an associate for Personius, Mustico, Sullivan and Prechtl. In 1981 Judge Buckley became an Elmira City Court Judge and served until he was appointed County Court Judge in 1996.
County Executive Tom Santulli said Judge Buckley was a hard working judge who really did make a significant impact on his community with many years of dedicated service. District Attorney Weedon Wetmore said, “I think the community has lost someone who is very passionate about his work. He was a good, honorable, decent judge as well as a person.”
“On behalf of the residents of the 15th legislative district, I extend my sincerest condolences and deepest sympathy to the Buckley family and want them to know that the 15th district and all of Chemung County mourns the loss of Judge Buckley,” Chemung County Legislator Rodney J. Strange said after learning of the death of Judge Buckley.
Judge Buckley was involved with many community organizations including Elmira Kiwanis, Southside Community Center, Chemung County Drug Court, Alcohol and Drugs Abuse Council, Notre Dame High School Board of Directors, American Red Cross and was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Parish.