James M. Tucker

James Michael "Tuck" Tucker, 58, of Newington, CT., passed away at home, on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. He was born on October 20, 1962, in New London, CT., to Barbara (Kelly) Tucker and the late James H. Tucker. Jim was an avid baseball player and fan. He graduated with a BA in Communications from Eastern Connecticut State University, where he was the catcher for the baseball team, starting catcher of the ECSU National Championship team in 1982, and the Captain of the 1984 ECSU baseball team. He ultimately played with the Cubs Minor League team, for only a short time, due to an injury. Jim was a born leader, and a tremendous teammate. He worked with Coach Bill Holowaty, who had coached Jim at ECSU, at his youth baseball camp. His biggest joy was coaching both of his daughters' softball teams. Jim went on to earn his Masters in Business Management from the University of New Haven. Jim was happiest when he was surrounded by family and friends, and his door was always open. He considered everyone he met a new friend. He is survived by the three loves of his life, his daughters, Kailyn Tucker and Jaidyn Tucker, and granddaughter, Zariah Ortiz, all of Newington, CT.; mother of his children, Carin Tucker, of Newington, CT.; his mother, Barbara Tucker, of Uncasville, CT.; his sister, Debra Pirie, and nieces, Rachel and Shana Pirie, all of Salem, CT; his best and dearest friends, Joe Cicchiello, and Trish Newhouse, and many, many more friends, who will all miss him dearly. Jim was currently employed as Director of Operations, NLR Inc., East Windsor, CT. He had previously retired in 2009, from SNET/SBC/AT&T, where he had been employed for many years. Services are private, due to COVID, but a memorial will be held at a later date, when we can all gather to remember Jim.