Lillard E. 'Buck' Law, Former LBI Schools Superintendent, Judge, Dies At 86

Courtesy of Bugbee-Riggs Funeral Home:

The Honorable L.E. “Buck” Law died peacefully at his home on August 18, 2014 in Surf City.He was 86.

He was born in Akron, Ohio and lived there until entering the Naval Reserve and was honorably discharged. He then attended Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, where he received a BA in Education. It was here that he met the love of his life, Jane Hinton. They married in August 1947.

Buck then attended Ohio State University where he earned a master’s degree in education and later a doctorate in education administration. During that time he was Superintendent of Alliance, Ohio Public Schools. They moved to Hamilton Township where he was Superintendent of Schools, then to Westfield where he was Superintendent of Schools.

While attending a convention in Atlantic City, he and Jane fell in love with the Jersey Shore. During this time, The Law family summered on Long Beach Island and became permanent residents in 1974. Buck served as superintendent of the LBI school system from 1974 -1976.

He then was appointed as an administrative lawj udge to settle school system disputes and sat on the bench in Atlantic City and Trenton. He decided to attend law school at Seton Hall University at the age of 55 and received his Juris Doctor. He remained on the bench until his retirement in 2000.

He loved being an administrative law judge and continued to practice part-time when called upon. He has been a longtime member of Holy Innocents Episcopal Church and has served as Vestry Warden, Usher, and Deacon.

Buck was predeceased by his wife Jane in 2012. He is survived by his four children, Melinda O’Neil and her husband Craig O’Neil, Laurie Law, Thomas Law, SR, and his longtime companion Lisa Flynn, Jonathan Law and his wife Mary. He has six grandchildren; Katrina Cuoco and her husband Jesnick Cuoco, Emily Talbot, Ashley Talbot and her husband Andy Bankert, Thomas Law, Jr, Joshua Law and Elizabeth Law. He has two great-grandchildren, Gianna Abigail Cuoco and Joshua Knox Law.

Services will be held September 12, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Beach Haven, NJ, located at Marine and Atlantic Ave. Buck’s longtime friend and spiritual advisor The Reverend Frank Crumbaugh, III will be the officiate. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Holy Innocents Episcopal Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Bugbee-Riggs Funeral Home.