Page 24 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2021 WANTED DELIVERY DRIVER FULL TIME CALL 617-387-4838 NOTEBOOK | FROM PAGE 21 R.I.P. 'Buck' and Coach Kelley: Two Medford legends who will surely be missed Bad news travels fast and it was no surprise when I reached out to Malden High Hall-of-Famer John Furlong following the sudden passing of a legend from "the other side of the aisle" recently, Medford's Ray "Buck" Buckland. "Buck was the best," Furlong, a 1977 Malden High grad and twosport standout (basketball, baseball) who went on to excel for Salem State basketball in the late 1970s and early '80s. "He was a true friend, a great teammate when you were lucky enough to be on his team and a tremendous and tough opponent." Furlong recalled when the two squared off against each other in the NCAA Division 3 Basketball Regionals in the Boston Garden in the early 1980s, he for Salem State and Buckland for Boston State. "We were great friends by then, even though we were still rivals, but we decided it was the last game for one of us so we went outside our locker rooms and got dressed out in the hall." Buckland, 64, fell in front of his house in Lynn recently, hit his head and then died suddenly a few hours later, leaving his many friends in Lynn, Medford and Malden saddened. For all who knew him, he was a great guy who always had a good word for everyone he saw and will be missed so much. In the same category is the late former longtime Medford High athletic director, football and basketball coach Francis "Buddy" Kelley, who passed a few months ago. "One of a kind" was meant for Coach Kelley, who stalked the sidelines in the 1970s as an assistant football coach and in the 1980s and early 1990s as head coach. We will all miss both of these late Mustang legends. More on both coming soon in this column. 379 Broadway Everett 617-381-9090 All occasions florist Wedding ~ Sympathy Tributes Plants ~ Dish Gardens Customized Design Work GIFT BASKETS Fruit Baskets www.EverettFlorist.net We follow Social Distancing Guidelines! Frank Berardino MA License 31811 • 24 - Hour Service • Emergency Repairs BERARDINO Plumbing & Heating Residential & Commercial Service Gas Fitting • Drain Service 617.699.9383 Senior Citizen Discount
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