Ponte Vedra Beach, FL: Thomas P. Tucker, age 82, formerly of Fernandina Beach, FL and Natick passed away on Monday evening, February 13, 2012 at the Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Born in Brookline he was the only child born to the late Charles and Kathryn (Talbot) Tucker. He was a graduate of Brookline High School, Class of 1947, where he enjoyed and excelled in baseball and basketball. At the age of eighteen, Mr. Tucker began a long career with the John Hancock Insurance Company starting as an Office Assistant in Boston, MA. As the Korean Conflict was underway, he was drafted by the U.S. Army. After serving 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. Throughout his life, he was a devoted husband and beloved father. Mr. Tucker encouraged and was active in his children's endeavors including hiking, mountain climbing, tennis and all manner of sports. He enjoyed Scrabble and crossword puzzles. Mr. Tucker possessed a love for traveling, sports, theater, golf, and the great 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.
In 1993 while living in Natick, his first wife, Mary Jeanette (Sweetland) Tucker of Cambridge and the mother of his four children passed away. He later met and married Ann E. Ventura of Duxbury. Shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Cape Cod where they remained until moving to Amelia Island, FL in 1998 and to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL in 2011.
Mr. Tucker was a former member of the Community United Methodist Church in Cochituate for more than forty years and a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church in Fernandina Beach, FL.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jeanette (Sweetland) Tucker.
Mr. Tucker leaves behind his loving family. His wife Ann E. Tucker of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, three sons - Stephen Charles Tucker and his wife Robin of North Attleborough; David Lawrence Tucker of North Grafton; Dean Frederick Tucker and his wife Jonelle of Lyons, CO; a daughter, Kathryn Lynne Yeh and her husband James of Foxboro. Mr. Tucker has six grandchildren, Amy, Lori, Zachary, Sierra, Dylan and Samantha and a host of step children, step grandchildren, and a step great grandson.
Visiting hours will be held at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Rd (Off Rte 30), Cochituate Village, Wayland on Monday February 20, 2012 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Tuesday Feb. 21, 2012 at 10:00 at the Community United Methodist Church, 5 Damon St (corner of Damon St and Rte 27), Cochituate Village, Wayland.
Interment will follow in the Tucker family lot in Evergreen Cemetery, Brighton.
For online condolences and directions, please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.