Brian died peacefully in his sleep on December 1st in Boca Raton, Florida. Brian had relocated there 14 years ago to help care for his aging parents.

Brian was born in Salem, MA on February 9th, 1957. He was the third of six children of Dr. Frederick and Marye Buckley. He grew up in Marblehead and became one of the preeminent athletes in Marblehead High School history. Featured in Sports Illustrated "Faces in the Crowd" as a 9th grader, he was most known as a southpaw quarterback "Broadway Brian". Brian was also an MVP, All American and captain in both baseball and football. His thrilling 20-12 victory over Swampscott in the 1973 Thanksgiving game is still one of the most memorable games of that rivalry. Missing his senior year at Marblehead High from a left shoulder injury, he went on to have a great post-graduate year at Exeter Academy and continued his football career at Harvard. He was the offensive MVP of the Blue-Gray Classic Bowl game in 1980 and holds the record for the longest touchdown pass. He was drafted by the NE Patriots in 1981. He was a member of the Marblehead Gridiron Club's Hall of Fame. While at Harvard, Brian majored in history and was a member of the Spee Club. After his football career ended, he embarked upon a career in sports promotion and marketing. Brian was a longtime member of the Tedesco Country Club.

Brian is predeceased by his parents Dr. Frederick and Marye Buckley and family members Michael, Andrew and Barbara. Brian is survived by family members Dr. Frederick and Patricia Buckley, Marye Moran and Richard Tisch, Sheila and Daniel Goggin and Julie Buckley. Brian leaves many nieces and nephews: Fred and Corinne Buckley; Nancy and Andy Buckley; Bonnie Buckley; Brad Buckley; Jack, Mame and Sheila Moran; Buck, Justine, Jennifer and Robert Goggin; Matt and Valerie Buckley; Michael and Kelly Buckley; Dr. Sara and Michael Ambrosi; Caroline, Courtney and Emily Buckley and cousins Arthur and Tien Buckley.

In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to the Marblehead Gridiron Club or the American Heart Association. A Funeral Mass for Brian will be celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, 85 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead, on Wednesday December 8th at 10:30 AM. Due to the current pandemic, the family requests mask wearing and social distancing while in the Church. Burial will immediately follow the Mass at Waterside Cemetery, 294 West Shore Drive, Marblehead. For more information or online guestbook please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.murphyfuneralhome.com.