Westfield, MA – Harvey S. Buckland, 97, died Saturday, December 3, 2016 in a local nursing home. He was born in Simsbury, CT on April 4, 1919 to the late George and Cornelia (Eddy) Buckland. He was a graduate of Hartford Trade School and was an auto mechanic in Granby, CT prior to joining the Army. Harvey was a machine operator and Quality Analyst for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft for 35 years and retired in 1981. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII. In 2004, he received the Bronze Star from Governor George Romney which was awarded to soldiers who had earned the combat infantry badge. He was a past commander and life member of the American Legion Post #124 in Westfield. He was also a life member of the VFW and had served as Grand Chef de Gare of the Forty & Eight Legionnaires of Massachusetts. Harvey was pre-deceased by his first wife Adrienne (Michaud) Buckland and his second wife Mildred (Bennett) Buckland. He leaves his step-sons Gary Sell (Mary) of Orange, CT and Glenn Sell (Joanne) of Huntington and his step-daughter Mary Moore (Russell) of Springfield, VT, his sisters Lois Messenger of Granby, CT and Ruth Gilhooly of Cornwall, CT, seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his siblings Oliver Buckland, Olive Wyman and Elinor Rose. The funeral will be held on December 9, 2016 with a calling hour held from 11am until 12 noon followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 12:30PM in St. Mary’s Church, Westfield. Burial with military honors will follow in Mass Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Donations may be made to the American Legion or the Friends of the Soldiers Home, P. O. Box 1338, Holyoke, MA 01041.
