Robert H. Buchanan, 97

Mr. Buchanan was born at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Bob served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He completed his cadet training with the Air Corps and received his credentials as a pilot, and for many years and before his retirement, he was a captain as a commercial airline pilot.

Bob was a member of North Reading Masonic Lodge, AF & AM. He was a member of Aleppo Temple Shrine of Wilmington and was a tuba player with the Shriners Band. Bob also played tuba with the Wakefield Retired Men’s Band. He was a member of the Essex County Bee Keepers Association and enjoyed making maple syrup and honey in a sugar house that he built on his aunt’s property in Mount Vernon, N.H. He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada as well as Sunday drives to his aunt’s home. He and his beloved wife loved to travel and especially enjoyed a cruise to Alaska and trips to Scotland, Hawaii and Bar Harbor, Maine.

Bob leaves his wife of 70 years, Edith B. (Dunlop) Buchanan; his son, James Buchanan; and his daughter, Jeanine Labrecque and her husband, David Labrecque, and David’s children, Michael and Jessica Labrecque as well as his grandson, Brandon Hamilton and his wife Tyfany Hamilton, and Brandon’s mother, Eltye Hamilton. He also has two great-grandchildren, Arya Hamilton and Easton Hamilton. Bob also leaves one brother, Frank Buchanan; a niece, Bonnie Little ;and a nephew, Roy Buchanan. He also leaves extended family in Canada and was predeceased by his son, Ronald Buchanan.

Family and friends paid their respects on Saturday, September 18 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Dewhirst & Boles Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. Funeral services followed the calling hours at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial was in Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Shriners Hospitals for Children, PO Box 1525, Ranson, WV 25438. To leave an online condolence, please visit Bob’s tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com.