Ballou Mason Tooker, 95 years young passed away peacefully on Wednesday 19, 2014. He was born in Hartford on September 28, 1919, the loving son of the late Morris and Hazel Tooker. Except for his five years and 50 days of service in the Coast Guard before and during world war 2 where he served aboard 83' cutter as a bosun mate 1st class, he was in both torpedo alley off of Cape May , Nj and the Philippines. He lived in Wethersfield and was pre deceased by his loving wife of 63 years Roberta Tooker, he was predeceased his brother Sterling Tooker. He is surveyed by his son, Bruce Tooker, daughters, Faith McMullen and Ferne Tooker-Rodney, their spouses and two grandchildren, Heather Jackson and Jeffrey Quinn and their spouses and five grandchildren, Amanda, Sean and Eric Quinn and Jacob and Ryan Jackson. Ballou retired after 34 years at Aetna Life Ins.Co. as a senior underwriter of the Accident and Health Dept. He was a graduate of Wethersfield High School of the class of 1937. Past activities included moderator for the Republican Party, Arbitrator for the CT state lemon law, a political activist for the Wethersfield Tax payers Assoc., a Scout Master for troop 33, District Commissioner for BSA, Sunday School Teacher and 60 year member of the First Church of Christ, Docent for the Wethersfield Historical Society at the cove warehouse, volunteer driver for the Red Cross and Meals on Wheels, past commodore and 60 year member of the Wethersfield Cove Yacht Club, Paul Harris awardee for Wethersfield/Rocky Hill Rotary Club of which he was a member for 45 years and a 50 year member of Mystic Seaport. As an avid boatsman of over 50 years he was able to achieve a lifetime wish to travel and live on his boat with Roberta for 10 months traveling down the inter coastal on The Whisper. A memorial service will be held at the First Church of Christ at 250 Main Street in Old Wethersfield on Wednesday, November 26th at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Good Sam Fund at First Church or the Wounded Warrior Project.

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Published by Hartford Courant from Nov. 22 to Nov. 23, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Ballou Tooker

Sponsored by the family.

16 Entries

P Hernandez

December 1, 2014

So sorry to hear of this. He was a great neighbor and he will be missed.

Richard Dudek

November 28, 2014

To the Tooker family. I am sorry to hear of Ballou's passing. I had the pleasure of knowing him for over 40 years. When I joined the WCYC as a young pup he taught me how a good member should act, he taught me about boating while having fun. Ballou was a hard worker and a wonderful person. I know I'm a better man and boater because of him. Richard Dudek

Barbara J. Ruhe

November 26, 2014

Ballou was a delightful person. I always enjoyed visiting him during the "door knocking" part of the fall election activities. His comments at Town Council meetings were always right on--he will be missed.

November 25, 2014

To the Tooker family
Sorry to hear of your father's passing. He had a long and productive life; who can ask for more? I'll always remember his help and friendship at WCYC.
– Dean Anderson, Stonington, CT

Jim Harris

November 25, 2014

To the entire Tooker family...

I had the pleasure of meeting Ballou at the Wethersfield Cove Yacht Club about ten years ago. He had already been a member fifty years. Always a source of sound advice and ingenuity, Ballou was an invaluable resource and contributor to our Club. Ballou loved Wethersfield and took time to share his knowledge of local history, which we so enjoyed and appreciate.

Ballou had many interests and activities and his endless enthusiasm and kindness positively impacted countless people over many decades... I hope that knowing Ballou leaves such a meaningful legacy is a source of comfort.

Sincerely and with deepest sympathy,
Jim Harris

Ellyn Laramie

November 24, 2014

95 years young sums it up! He was a doer and will be missed. Ellyn Laramie

November 23, 2014

I worked with Ballou at Aetna for 10 years and always enjoyed our conversations. He was an inspiration. My condolences to his family.
Bill Schumann

Dave and Catherine Noble

November 23, 2014

Bruce and the Tooker family,
There are many fond memories.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
at this difficult time.
With sincere sympathy, Dave and Cathy Noble

Rich Colbert

November 23, 2014

Ferne,

Sorry for your loss, please accept my sincere condolences.

Bruce & Arlene Hanson

November 23, 2014

Our sincere sympathy on the loss of your Dad. He will always be remembered as a gentleman. He always had a smile & seemed to enjoy a visit, at Church or at the WCYC. He will be missed but fonly remembered.

Donald McCarthy

November 22, 2014

Ferne:

i was very sorry to read of the passing of your dad, sounds like he was quite a guy. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Don McCarthy

Ray Hamel

November 22, 2014

Bruce and the Tooker Family,
Ruth and I extend our deepest condolinces to you with the passing of Took. Our associations and friendship with him in The Wethersfield Rotary Club are never to be forgotten. God bless him. Ruth and Ray Hamel

Phil (and Sheila) Saxe

November 22, 2014

Ballou was always a resourceful and cunning person. I remember one night, a couple of years ago, taking him to a Rotary meeting. As we left his house he checked to make sure that he had everything he needed (something he always did). The Rotary meeting ran late and it was around 9pm when I took him home. He handed me a key and said open the side door and come to the front and let me in. I soon discovered that he took the wrong key chain and we were locked out. In his finest and loudest bosun mate's voice he yelled and continued to yell: "Does anybody have my key" so that all his neighbors on Harmond Place could hear him. This went on for a few minutes with no response. I asked him what he would do if he could not find the key ... "I suppose I'll just spend the night at the yacht club and worry about it in the morning." Fortunately a neighbor from across the street arrived home and he was able to find a key in his house.
The event ended with a good laugh and several good laughs the next few times I saw him.
May all of his good deeds and kindnesses serve him well in the world to come.

John Sullivan

November 22, 2014

I had the pleasure of working with Ballou in the A&H underwriting departmentt from the early 1960s to 1973. I always remember his cheerful and friendly disposition. My condolences to his family.

Leigh Standish

November 22, 2014

Good friend and neighbor, solid citizen, true patriot, gentle soul and thoughtful intellect... we were blessed to have you in our midst.

November 22, 2014

Wethersfield mourns the loss of one Amazing man. Thank you Sir, for your service in WWII and in our community. Your's was a Life well lived, and shared... Rest in peace.

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