From a Godson   

A strange twist of fate gave me the immense fortune to have had William F. Buckley as my Godfather. On the day I was Christened in Vancouver, Canada the Godfather who had been chosen by my mother fell suddenly ill. Not wanting to alter the plans (or a good party) my mother put out a house to house search for another unsuspecting Catholic sucker. Pat Buckley was a very old friend of our family and was in Vancouver with Bill visiting her family. He stepped, unwillingly I suspect, but with grace into the role of Godfather and for many years never forgot a birthday.
 
He was always so generous to me when I came to visit in New York and Connecticut and Switzerland. I will cherish the evenings listening to him playing the harpsichord and giving me advice or more importantly taking an interest in my life.
 
While at University in California, I asked Bill if he would come and speak about Conservatism to the College. He agreed and I had the great honour to introduce him in front of the congregation of students an a throng of local Conservatives. I still have a copy of my introduction which I delivered whilst trembling in his greatness.  
 
Sadly, we lost touch during the 1990s when I moved to Europe and it seemed every time I was in New York on business he was travelling.
 
I shall count my fortune, however to have seen him last October on a trip to New York. I rang his office at short notice and invited him to join me for lunch. Less than an hour later his office called and said he was coming into New York to see me and wanted to take me to my beloved New York Yacht Club for lunch. Even though he was very sick he made the effort to see me which I will never forget. We spoke and laughed for an hour and a half about everything from sailing to his planned book on Ronnie Reagan. I will cherish that hour and a half forever.
 
My sincere condolences to Chisto, all the NR staff who he adored and all Conservatives worldwide who have been so fortunate to have made his association. A great loss to us all.
 
Bill if you get this message please give Aunt Pat a kiss for me.
Mark MacLean

03/02 09:38 PM