In late October 1970 the Conservative Party statewide ticket concluded its campaign at Sunnyside Gardens Arena, Queens. Led by James Buckley, the Conservative Party candidate for United States Senator, we appeared on a platform that was normally a prizefighting ring.  A large crowd was jubilant and reflected the anticipation of the imminent election of James Buckley in one of the greatest political upsets in New York State history.

The candidate for Lieutenant Governor, who had labored over his speech for weeks, began to deliver it. Suddenly, Bill Buckley appeared at the back of the arena.  The crowd roared.  Lost was attention to the candidate's talk. Bill came down the center aisle to a thunderous ovation.  He climbed up to the platform and shook hands with the candidates and party officials. Then he did something that movingly epitomized this gentle man.

He went to the back of the dais and sat next to the candidate whose speech he had inadvertently interrupted. For the rest of the evening he deferred to this man, discreetly seeking his opinion, sharing witticisms with him, etc.  Few in the audience probably noticed this consummately gentlemanly gesture. It so personified Bill Buckley.

I was lucky to be in his company a number of times over the years, the last at the celebration of his 80th birthday at the Pierre in 2006. His son Christopher served as program emcee and did a marvelous job of setting the stage for the ebullient praise that flowed that evening.

Bill Buckley was a great man. When you met him you felt that your appearance had singularly brightened his day. To be in his company was to be reminded of Jacques Barzun's observation that: "The finest achievement of human society and its rarest pleasure is Conversation". 

What a guy.
Anthony Spinelli