AUGUSTA ? Charles Allen ?Buck? Buckingham, 73, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Hospital, Togus, after a very long illness. Buck was born September 3, 1935 in Westfield, Maine to Perley and Alda (Redstone) Buckingham, the fifth of seven children. The family moved from The County to Mexico, Maine, where Buck attended local schools, graduating from Mexico High School in 1952. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1954. He met his best friend and the love of his life, Jeannette Anne Jacqueline (Cox), while serving his first tour of duty at the RAF Bentwaters Station in England. They were married December 1, 1956, in England. Buck retired from the military after 20 years of service. The family then moved to Maine and settled in Augusta. Buck worked at the Togus VA Center in Augusta where he remained for approximately 18 years before retiring in 1991 due to ill health. At the time of his retirement, Buck was the Assistant Chief of the Business Administrative Division, Regional Office Center, Togus. ???Buck loved to travel with Jackie and considered England his second home. Buck was an excellent baseball and softball player, playing in high school and in many recreational leagues while in the service. He was also an excellent dancer and loved to dance with his wife whenever opportunities presented themselves, the polka being a particular favorite of theirs. Buck had a great love for music of various types and was very proud of his music collection. He particularly liked a bargain and appreciated a good ?garage sale? when he saw one. In later years, he enjoyed attending and watching his grandchildren as they participated in various sports, theatrical, and academic events, and was very proud of all their achievements. Buck was a good husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Frederick and Edwin, sister Idella, and three nephews Richard, Robert, and Philip. Buck is survived by his loving wife, Jeannette (Jackie) Buckingham of Augusta; three children, Debra (Buckingham) Phillips and husband Craig, of Auburn, Charles Buckingham of Augusta, and Terri (Buckingham) Steinmeyer and husband Doug of Waterville; eleven grandchildren, Sandra (and husband Chris), Roxanne (and husband Mark), Jennifer, Charles, Chase, Kaytlynn, Mikayla, Josh, Jacob, Ellie, and Emmy; three great-grandchildren, Phillips, Haley, and Aiden; brother Preston Buckingham, and sisters Grace Hollis and Mary Roberts. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 6th at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 60 Bangor Street, Augusta. A committal service and interment with full military honors will follow for family members at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Barnabas Building Fund, 60 Bangor St., Augusta, ME 04330 or to the Disabled American Veterans Fund, Maine Chapter, 1 VA center, Augusta, ME 04330. Arrangements are under the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, One Church St., Augusta. www.khrfuneralhomes.com