Earl J. Bond, fondly known as “Buddy,” passed away on September 15, at the Hospital of the
University of Pennsylvania surrounded with love from his family while his favorite songs played.
Buddy was born in Bristol and grew up in Old Edgley. He wrestled and played football for
Woodrow Wilson High School and graduated in 1965. After high school, Buddy joined the
Marines and did basic training at Paris Island, SC, went to Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC, and then graduated from Assault Amphibian School (AAS) at Camp Pendleton, CA. Buddy served in Vietnam as a Private First Class in the 4 th Marine Division where he was responsible for driving and operating an Amphibius Assault Vehicle.
After returning home, Buddy married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth “Betty Ann.” During high school he took her to see the Sound of Music, and they’ve made sweet music together ever since! They celebrated their 55 th wedding this year. Buddy and Betty Ann raised a family in the Red Cedar section of Levittown. Buddy admired his wife and often could be heard bursting out… “Betty Ann.”
He was a devoted and caring father to Bettemarie, Jerry (Jenny), Bill (Marianne), and a
warmhearted grandfather to PJ, Logan, Ashleigh, Kyleigh. He considered Morgan, and Caitlyn
his granddaughters too. Buddy cherished Tami and treasured all his gran-dogs.
Buddy was Earl and Edwina’s son and is Doris Berstler’s brother.
We take solace in knowing he is now with his parents, his wife’s parents, 2 brother in laws –
Daniel Berstler and George Salmon, Sister-in -law Dorothy Alley, and cousin Cindy Beam.
Buddy held various jobs during his life. He identified the most as a U.S. Steel Worker and
worked in Fairless Hills at USX in the Open-Hearth. After the mill closed, he completed classes at Pennco-Tech and worked doing logistics for Staples; where experienced a traumatic brain injury while working. For a few years Buddy was a paid caregiver for his daughter and accompanied her on medical appointments and helped her do fun leisure activities.
Years ago, Buddy volunteered and helped coach a wrestling team his son Jerry was on in the
70s called the Blue Knights, which practiced at Neshaminy High School. During his golden years, Buddy had a blast playing softball in Bucks Country’s Senior Softball league.
Buddy greatly enjoyed camping with his wife and family. He took many kids in the family
camping. The last several years he had the best time at Ringing Rocks Family Camp Ground where he was a seasonal camper. He was known by many at the campground since he often drove the golf cart around saying hi to everyone.
Buddy was passionate about hunting, archery, and target shooting using his black powered
pistol. He looked forward each week to doing archery at Langhorne Rod and Gun club with his
friend Jim. On Friday nights he taught archery to youngsters and to any adults curious about
learning how to use a bow.
Buddy was a great Father and instilled wonderful values in his sons, and he was so proud of
them as husbands and fathers. He loved his Daughter-in-laws. He took pride in being a
grandparent and loved spending time with his grandkids. He loved his nieces and nephews and always joked around with them.
Buddy had a big belly laugh and he was the person you loved to hear laugh loudest at the movie theater! His laugh was contagious.
Every Monday he looked forward to painting ceramics at Middletown Senior Center. The
women in the class joked with him, made him laugh, and showered him with attention that
made him feels so special.
Buddy was friendly and enjoyed talking with everyone he met. He happily talked about
anything and lit up when discussing hunting and archery. Buddy always bragged about his sons being firefighters and boasted about his grandkids. He also shared about his adventures
traveling across the country with his daughter to attend annual conferences held by the Oley
Foundation, a nonprofit organization for people who rely on intravenous nutrition or tube
feedings. Buddy and family were members of the Oley Foundation for over 30 years.
Oley members were his second family! During conferences, he volunteered and babysat
medically complex kids so parents could listen to professionals speak and talk with other
parents to learn ways to improve their child’s medical care and quality of life.
Buddy drove his daughter to her first Oley picnic in Saratoga Springs, NY, back in the early ‘90s.
After seeing how Oley improved her medical care and quality of life, he did what he could to
attend conferences with her to enable her to learn more, to advocate, and to spread awareness
so she could help other people.
Buddy volunteered at Paul Newman’s The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Double H, so counselors and staff could learn how to care for children on IV nutrition. He helped kids fish and do other fun activities. Children on TPN have enjoyed participating in summer camp there ever since.
One of Buddy’s proudest victories was ringing the bell after his last radiation treatment for
prostate cancer, caused by Agent Orange. As a young man he gave selflessly to fight for
America, and during his efforts he was exposed to chemicals that caused harm to his body. As
he aged the exposure to Agent Orange and tainted water at Camp Lejeune caused illnesses that
ravished his body. He lost his independence and suffered terribly. The toxic effects were detrimental to his quality of life, and yet he did what he could each day to help his kids and to
enjoy precious moments with his family. He fought a valiant fight with honor!
A viewing and small memorial service will be held at Faust Funeral Home located at 902
Bellevue Ave., Hulmeville, PA on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 12pm to 2 pm. Interment will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in his memory to The Oley Foundation, ( https://oley.org/ )
or The American Heart Association, ( https://www.heart.org/ )
or any other organization meaningful to you.