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BORN
1948
DIED
2018
FUNERAL HOME
Tamara Marcinuk Obituary
Olympic skier and Professor
Fitchburg - Tamara "Tammy" Petra Marcinuk, 69, of Fitchburg, MA, died on Saturday, September 29th in her home. She was born on November 26, 1948 in Fitchburg to the late Lucy H. Marcinuk of Fitchburg and Peter Marcinuk of Groveland, MA.
Tammy was born with congenital hearing loss, but that did not stop her from winning five gold medals, one silver and three bronze in six international Deaf Olympic Games over a 24 year period starting in 1967. Retired from competitive skiing in 1991, Tammy continued with the Olympic Ski team as a coach, was inducted into the USA Deaf Sports Federation Hall of Fame in 1993 and lit the torch at the opening ceremonies at the 2007 Deaf Olympics in Salt Lake City. In addition to many state accolades, the city of Fitchburg presented Tammy with two keys to the city and in 1971 the late Mayor Harold Lemay proclaimed a day in her honor.
Tammy began her skiing career as a teen at Burbank Hill in Fitchburg, practiced at Watchusett Mt. and was eventually coached by Jack Coffey at Stowe Mt. In addition to skiing, Tammy excelled at many sports and outdoor activities such as ice skating, swimming, windsurfing, sailing and scuba diving. As a child, Tammy spent hours roller skating at Whalom Park with her beloved grandmother Rose, watching her every move.
A master of lip-reading and American Sign Language, Tammy earned a bachelor's degree from Boise State and a master's in elementary and physical education from Boston University. She taught deaf high school students in St. Croix, Cleary School for the Deaf in Smithtown, NY and college students at Mount Watchusett Community College where her competitive spirit and quest for excellence was expected from her students.
Tammy is survived by two aunts and one uncle; Jeanette (Costin) Charlton of Sarasota, FL, Aileen (Costin) Palmer of Tucson, AZ and Paul Marcinuk of Raymond, ME. Tammy leaves behind many loving cousins and friends from all over the world. Her faithful Golden Retriever, Sawyer, has found his "Happy Last Chapter" home with a local family. She loved animals and always had a loyal dog and cat by her side.
Marcinuk - A funeral mass will be held at 11am on Tuesday, October 23rd at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 84 Salem St., Fitchburg. Family and friends are invited to a reception following the service in the banquet room at St. Anthony's. Memorial contributions may be made to a GoFundMe page for the American Society of Deaf Children in Tammy's honor: gofundme.com/tammy-marcinuk.
Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli and the Fitchburg Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Homes, 243 Water St., Fitchburg.
To leave an online condolence or for more information please visit www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net.
John F. Masciarelli, Walter C. Taylor and James M. Hebert, funeral directors.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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Wanda Krysil
January 27, 2025
I knew Tammy during our years at the Fitchburg YMCA. She was kind and sweet, as was her mom. What an inspirational life she had. I´m honored to have known her.
Barbara Hayes
November 5, 2018
Tammy and I were on the ski team for the Deaf in the 1970's for five years. We were roommates during our ski travels and competitions. She was fun to be with! She was an amazing ski racer! A gentle, sweet lady.
May she rest and in peace!
Christina Hall
October 23, 2018
i am so sorry Tammy ,may god bless, Rest In Peace , I couldn't make it your service I am in Hawaii now and never forget our Boston school for the deaf (bsd) you are my classmates of 1965 I am gonna miss u and ur smile Tammy! You are excellent ski too!
Be blessing
tina hall (christina tautkus 1965)
Mark Valera
October 16, 2018
As a 13 year old boy growing up in Fitchburg, Tammy was very inspirational. I remember going to the Civic Center when she was given the Keys to the city thinking, Wow I hope I can be like her some day. She achieved so much by giving back. Fitchburg lost a pioneer and great individual who shared so much of what she loved. Tammy will always be in the "Hall Of Fame" in the hearts of many... Rest In Peace.
Thank you!
Beautiful smile
Rayna Jones
October 15, 2018
Tammy..may you rest easy now..no more pain..and now you are with "mummy"..rest easy my friend..i will miss you
Jim Quatrale
October 15, 2018
She was a good friend and I will miss her. Aloha
Faith Womack
October 13, 2018
I remember dancing lessons with Tammy at the Alice Corliss Dance Studio. She was a great skier, we skied on Burbank Hill, and other ski areas around. Sorry to hear that she has passed. Tammy was a wonderful friendly woman.
Jarlath Crowe
October 13, 2018
Tammy and I were on the Deaf Ski Team in the '70s, and met up to race in Vermont and New Hampshire a few times. She was really good and we pushed each other to go faster...our timing were quite close, so we enjoyed beating each other, including George Balsley.
I'll look forward to racing her in the clouds again in these days.
Jarlath of Foxboro, MA...former Deaf Ski Team member
Elizabeth Hastings
October 13, 2018
Jay, So sorry for your loss . Tammy has been a part of our family for over 40yrs ... Its hard to believe that she has left us and My Mom will miss seeing her Smiling face stopping by almost every day . Tammy will always be remembered in our family .
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family .
May you Rest In Peace My Friend ❤
Mary Kaye and John Leonard (Cunningham)
October 12, 2018
Very sorry to hear of Tammy's passing. She was dear friend to my Aunt Maureen and her daughter Elizabeth and my family was always grateful for her friendship in love for them and our family. I grew up hearing stories of Tammy's successes. She was an amazing women who clearly enjoyed her life and lived to the fullest. We spent many Easter dinners together at my cousin Elizabeths and we shared a love of dogs and skiing. My husband John and I will be away at the time of the services but we will be there in spirit remembering Tammy with her smiling eyes and determined spirit.
joanne damico
October 12, 2018
Jay, Tammy was an inspiration for all as was your sister Lucy.....Tammy's mom.
I will never forget the wonderful lakehouse memories on Monomonac, as well as all the visits to "Aunt" Lucys home and her visits with my mom.... Please know, you are forever in my heart and my mind with all the sadness of the last months... I will never forget Lu or Tammy.... Love
Joanne
Nancy Geremia Tremblay
October 11, 2018
Sorry to hear about Tammy.
Donna Easton
October 11, 2018
I wont forget about her she always visit to me when i visit my parent home she visit me talkit i already miss her . big hug and i love you Donna Easton
Ingrid Dooling
October 11, 2018
So sorry to hear the sad news of your passing Tammy. I remember you from way back when you used to swim at the YMCA. You are now with your dear Mom. May you rest in eternal peace.
My thought and prayers to your family members during this difficult time.. I'm a old friend of your Aunt Jay.
My Deepest Condolences,
Ingrid Dooling
David Ingemie
October 11, 2018
Tammy you are in my prayers and thoughts. I still can remember skiing together at Burbank Hill and Wachusett being coached by Jack Coffey. You were and are an amazing inspiration to many people. R.I.P
Pauline Raiche
October 11, 2018
You are in my prayers and thoughts. You are now with your Mom in Heaven.
Good old times at BSD playing basketball with Tammy in 1963-64. Rest In Peace. Pauline
Karen Sears
October 11, 2018
Tammy and I were the best of friends in Highschool at Holy Family. She was the Maid of Honor at my wedding as well as a relation through the Aubin/ Antil line. We lost touch over the years but she has been in my thoughts lately. I was so happy to see all she accomplished over the years. She was such a giving person who was always there to help others. She will be sadly missed. We used to sit in the Fitchburg Library and lip read and the many times we traveled to go skiing, I was never able to keep up with her. I will always see her and remember her as the beautiful teenager who was my best friend.
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