Donald H. Tuper

POTSDAM - A memorial service for Donald H. "Ducky" Tuper, 86, a resident of 52 Sissonville Road, Potsdam, will be held at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, 63 May Road, Potsdam, NY on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 11 a.m. with Justin Glover presiding. Burial will be held in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Colton at a later date.

Mr. Tuper passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital. Donald is survived by his wife of 56 years, Noreen, Potsdam; his two sons, Derrick and Beth Tuper, Syracuse and Adam and Christine Tuper, Champlain, NY; his four beloved grandchildren, Hanna and Brent Votra; Shaun Tuper, Levi Tuper and Rebekah Tuper, two great-grandchildren, Breannah and Aaliyah. Donald is also survived by two sister's Dorothy Gardner, South Colton and Joann Cyr, Horseheads, NY as well as several nieces and nephews. Donald was pre-deceased by his parents Hubert and Ruth and his four brothers; Arthur, James, Richard and Raymond Tuper and two sisters, Rose Baldwin and Gladys Coleman.

Born in Colton, NY on August 28, 1939 to the late Hubert and Ruth Foster Tuper, Donald attended Colton-Pierrepont Central School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1962. A brief marriage to Barbara Smith ended in divorce, and Ducky later married Noreen Regan on September 12, 1969. Together, along with Noreen, they raised their two boys while Donald worked for Ron's Agra Drainage and most recently, JE Sheehan Construction as a Heavy Equipment Operator and welder. A strong work ethic was at the core of Ducky's life. From working as a boy to help his mother to serving his country in the Navy to providing every need for his wife and children, Ducky made sure to give more to this world than take from it.

Ducky was older in life when he came to know his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While a man of few words, he would let his life bear out his testimony. Ducky was fiercely loyal to his family and committed to his church. Generosity was one of Ducky's best gifts. God gifted Ducky to fix just about anything and he used that gift over many decades to help family, friends, and strangers. If you were in a bind or an emergency, Ducky was there and didn't ask for anything in return.

A man that couldn't sit still, it was hard to discern between Ducky's work and hobbies because he did the same thing day or night. He had his day garage and his evening garage. But no matter what Ducky did he put his everything into it and it showed. He was a master mechanic, a master carpenter, and a master of the quick comeback. Ducky will be remembered as a humble Christian, a loving husband, a dedicated father, a generous friend, and now resting with his loving Savior Jesus Christ in heaven. Ducky will be missed but only briefly for those that know the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Donald's memory can be made to the Emmanuel Baptist Church, 63 May Road, Potsdam, NY or to Camp Mandaville and Retreat Center, 165 Sheldon Road, Winthrop, NY and memories and condolences may be shared online at www.buckfuneralhome.com . The Buck Funeral Home in Norwood is serving the family of Donald H. "Ducky" Tuper.