Walter S. Buckoski, 88, of Oriskany Falls, died on Friday, February 20, 2009 at the Harding Nursing Home in Waterville, with his family by his side. Born on May 17, 1920 in Middleville, Walter was the son of George and Mary Kowalski Buckoski. Educated at Middleville High School, he graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1942. After graduation, he worked for Alcoa Corporation in Massena until entering the Army in 1944. Upon completion of basic training, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. and attended The Infantry School at Ft. Benning, GA. Walter married Virginia Peters of Canton in 1945 and then served in the European Theater as a fiscal officer in the Bremen Enclave of Military Government in Germany. After his discharge, Walter earned his Masters degree in Education from St. Lawrence and began his teaching career as a math and science teacher at Oriskany Falls in 1948. He then taught two years at Waterville Central School and, in 1951, was appointed Supervising Principal at Oriskany Falls Union Free School. Walter served over 30 years in that capacity, while also teaching a chemistry or physics class each year and serving as junior high basketball coach in the early years. While a teacher and superintendent, Walter continued to serve his country in the Army Reserves. He joined the fledgling 414th Civil Affairs Company in 1949 and was with the unit when it was called to active duty in October 1961 during the Cuban missile crisis. He retired from the Army Reserve in 1965 as Commanding Officer of the 414th. Walter was a member of the Kelley-Phillips American Legion Post #569, the Reserve Officers' Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and was a communicant of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Oriskany Falls. Immensely proud of his Polish heritage, Walter befriended two Polish couples while serving in the military government in Germany after WW II. With Walter's help, the couples emigrated to the United States and watching the two hard-working immigrant families become successful Americans was one of the great joys of his life. Walter also closely followed the lives of his students at OFUFS and delighted in their many accomplishments and successes. As a principal, Walter was one of a kind. Six-feet-five inches tall and an advocate of firm discipline, his trademark "jingling" keys alerted students of "Mr. B's" approach and students squared their shoulders in anticipation of his arrival. During Semongca League basketball games in the tiny Oriskany Falls High School gym, the keys rattled louder as the game got closer, especially during the years his sons were playing. He personalized graduation ceremonies for decades by speaking about each graduate in the class. In retirement he and Ginny enjoyed winters in Dunedin, FL and travels abroad. Walter took three trips to Europe and especially enjoyed the audience he had with Pope John Paul II. A gifted and prolific writer, Walter left hundreds of handwritten pages of his thoughts and experiences - some poignant, some insightful, and some uproariously funny. He taught by example how to be a good son, husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend. Besides his parents and his wife Ginny (2001), Walter was predeceased by his brother Steve, a sister Sophie Van Valkenburg, a nephew, Leon Buckoski, his step father, Martin Adamczyk and a step sister, Victoria Miller. He is survived by a daughter and her husband, Judy and Charles Engle of Oriskany Falls; and two sons and a daughter-in-law, Martin Buckoski of Ashland, MA, and Peter and Mary Buckoski of East Springfield, PA. He also leaves eight grandchildren, Christopher (Michele) Engle of Clinton, Susan (Tim) Jones of Waterville, Sarah Engle of Oriskany Falls, Kelly (Joe) Stroh of Millis, MA, Dana Buckoski (fiancee Kent Ryan) of Yarmouth, ME, Taylor Buckoski of Ashland, MA, Nicole Buckoski of Spokane, WA, and Peter Buckoski, Jr. of East Springfield, PA. He also leaves five great-grandsons, Cale, Cam and Caden Engle, Sam Jones and Tage Stroh; three nephews and a niece. The family is grateful to the staff of Harding Nursing Home for the compassionate care given to Walter during his stay there, and to his physician, Dr. David Petrie, one of Walter's OFUFS "boys". A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 10 AM at St. Joseph's Church, Oriskany Fall. Spring interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday from 4-8 PM at the Kloster-Northrop & Bentz Funeral Home, 210 E. Main St., Waterville.