Francis L. "Bucky" Poole

Francis “Bucky” Poole, 83, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at his home at Wild Cat Run from complications of Parkinson's disease. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Eleanor (Scafard) Poole; his son, Christopher Poole and his companion Susan Hibbard; his daughters, Marianne Poole and husband Paul Matsusaka, Janet Karchner and husband John Karchner; his sister, Ann Wojnar; his granddaughters, Abby Matsusaka, Annie Matsusaka, Kate Ross and Ally Karchner; and many nieces and nephews. He was born and raised in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the son of Leo and Monica (O’Herlihy) Poole. In his early years, Bucky was a legendary basketball and baseball star at Central Catholic High School. As the top pitcher on the 1950-1952 CCHS teams, he led the Raiders to two Catholic League Championships. As Captain of the 1951 and 1952 CCHS basketball team, along with his best friend and later best man, Jim Lewis, they led the Raiders to two Massachusetts State Catholic Tourney Championships. His high school yearbook called him “The most popular boy in Lawrence… the nearest thing to Bob Cousy in these parts…President of the Student Council… with a hidden talent for singing.” He was recruited on a full scholarship for baseball and basketball at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. Playing for a .500 team, Bucky led the Badgers to stunning upsets over Florida and Georgia to capture the 1955 Gator Bowl. Bucky was later inducted to both the Central Catholic High School and Spring Hill College Athletics Halls of Fame. Bucky married Ellie, a girl he had known since first grade in 1958 and moved to Fort Eustis, VA where he served as a First Lieutenant in the Army. After two years they returned to their roots in Lawrence, MA and began raising their family. In 1966, Bucky, working for Raytheon at the time, came home with the news that he had been offered a position which meant moving to Saudi Arabia. And so, commenced the adventure of their lives. Over the next 30 years, Bucky and Ellie lived through extended stays in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. They traveled the world with their children garnering experiences they never believed possible coming from their small town Massachusetts roots. Bucky and Ellie moved to Estero Florida in 1995 and became members of the Wildcat Run Country Club and have spent the past 22 years enjoying a retirement full of golf, bridge and wonderful new friends. Afternoons he could be found enjoying a game of backgammon with his dear friend Graham Burton looking out over the fourth hole that he loved. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, March 31, 2017 at Our Lady of Light Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Mother's Home, a charitable organization that Bucky and Ellie have been involved with since moving to Florida, 18011 S. Tamiami Trail #16, Ft. Meyers, FL 33908. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

Francis L. "Bucky" Poole

December 16, 1933 - February 22, 2017