James C. Buckley | Lawyer, 81

James C. Buckley, 81, of West Chester, a lawyer for more than a half-century, died Thursday of lung cancer at Paoli Hospital.

After graduating in 1942 from St. Joseph's Preparatory School, he studied for an additional year at the Haverford School before beginning his studies at Haverford College.

In 1944, Mr. Buckley enlisted in the Navy and was a radioman on a ship in the Pacific. "His ship was among the first to reach Japan after the bombing of Hiroshima," said his son, James. Mr. Buckley was discharged in 1946.

He returned to Haverford and earned a bachelor's degree in 1949, and then a law degree from Temple University in 1956.

He spent most of his career with the firm of Gibbons, Buckley, Smith, Palmer & Proud in Media. In the early 1980s, he began a private practice, where he worked until two days before he died.

Mr. Buckley was president of the Delaware County Bar Association and of the Pennsylvania Lawyers Trust Account Board, which provides legal services for the poor. He also served on the boards of the Sleighton School and Elwyn Inc.

In addition to his son, Mr. Buckley is survived by his wife of 49 years, Doris; a daughter, Mary Anne Mitcheli; and five grandchildren.

Friends may visit at 10 a.m. tomorrow at SS. Peter and Paul Church, 1325 E. Boot Rd., West Chester. A Funeral Mass will be said at 11. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.

Memorial donations may be made to the President's Council of Immaculata University, Box 733, Immaculata, Pa. 19345.