Thomas Tucker

TUCKER Mr. Thomas P. Tucker, age 82, of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL., formerly of Fernandina Beach, FL passed away on Monday evening, February 13, 2012 at the Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Born in Brookline, Mass, he was an only child born to the late Charles and Kathryn Tucker. He was a graduate of Brookline High School, Class of 1947, where he enjoyed and excelled in baseball and basketball. After high school, Mr. Tucker began a long career with the John Hancock Insurance Company. At the age of eighteen, he began his work in the insurance industry as an Office Assistant in Boston, MA. As the Korean Conflict was underway, he was quickly drafted by the U.S. Army. After serving approximately two years he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. Upon returning home he rejoined John Hancock where he remained until retiring as Director of Risk Management in 1994. A devoted and beloved family man throughout his career, he was active in his children's endeavors including hiking, mountain climbing, and all manner of sports. In 1993, while living in Natick, MA, his first wife and the mother of his children passed away. He later met and in 1994 married Ann E. Ventura of Duxbury, MA. Shortly thereafter, Mr. and Mrs. Tucker moved to Cape Cod where they remained until coming to Amelia Island, FL in 1998. In 2011, he and his wife moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. In addition to being an expert Scrabble player and Crossword puzzler, Mr. Tucker always possessed a love for traveling, golf, and the outdoors. He was known to start his day with a round of golf or a jog on the beach followed by a swim in the ocean or at the pool. His passion for traveling took him bungee jumping in New Zealand at the age of 64, mountain climbing in Switzerland and Colorado, backpacking on the Appalachian Trail, and on ocean cruises, as well as visits with family and friends, throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Tucker was a former member of the Community United Methodist Church, Cochituate, MA as well as the Memorial United Methodist Church in Fernandina Beach, FL. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jeanette Sweetland Tucker, who passed away in July of 1993. Mr. Tucker leaves behind his wife, Ann E. Tucker, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, three sons, Stephen Charles Tucker (Robin), North Attleborough, David Lawrence Tucker, North Grafton, MA, Dean Frederick Tucker (Jonelle), Lyons, CO, a daughter, Katie Yeh (James), Foxboro, MA, six grandchildren and a host of step children, step grandchildren, and a step great grandson. Visiting hours and funeral services will be held in Cochituate, Wayland, MA before Mr. Tucker is laid to rest in the family section of the Evergreen Cemetery in Brighton, MA. Please share his life story at www.oxleyheard.com OXLEY - HEARD FUNERAL DIRECTORS Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com