2011 INDUCTEE

W.K. BUCKLEY LIMITED

Frank Buckley, born in Toronto on April 8, 1921, likes to believe he was conceived around the same time his father, William Knapp Buckley founded W.K. Buckley Limited (1920).

At Buckley’s, Frank began his career working as a traveling salesman. After three years of door-to-door sales, he joined his father in a management position. While W.K. was first and foremost a salesman, Frank had a natural interest in finance, administration and the broadcast media. Together they made a formidable team. Upon the death of his father in 1978, Frank assumed presidency of the company.

Frank became spokesperson in the mid-eighties, when Buckley’s implemented its honest and humorous “awful taste” ad campaign. Featured in many of the radio and TV commercials, he is often recognized and approached by people in public for a casual comment or autograph. Senior citizens are attracted to Frank as living proof that life starts not ends at 65. Frank remains spokesperson for the Buckley’s brand, today.

Frank has always shown keen interest in the pharmaceutical industry. He served as the President of the Proprietary Association of Canada (now the Non-Prescription Drug Manufacturers Association of Canada) and remains an honorary member to this day. Throughout his life, Frank has also been involved with many community service organizations.

Frank graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and Finance Degree from the University of Toronto in 1942. He served in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm as a carrier-based fighter pilot in World War II. In 2003, Frank was deeply honoured to be appointed a member of the Order of Canada.