Thomas R. Ruckledge, Jr.
Retired Section Head for Raytheon
TEWKSBURY: Thomas R. Ruckledge, Jr., age 88, a resident of West Tewksbury for 54 years, formerly of Lowell, passed away at the Lowell General Hospital on Friday, August 31, 2018.
He was the beloved husband of 47 years to Marie “Georgia:” (Watson) Ruckledge, who passed away on September 19, 2006.
Born in Lowell on April 14, 1930, he was the son of the late Thomas R. Ruckledge, Sr. and the late Annie (Spencer) Ruckledge.
Tom was raised in the Wigginville area of Lowell, attended Lowell Schools and graduated from Lowell High School in 1948.
Following graduation, he attended U. Mass- Amherst, where he studied Business Administration.
In 1952, he enlisted in the U. S. Army Medical Service Corps and served during the Korean War.
Upon his honorable discharge from active duty, he continued to serve in the Army Active Reserve while at the same time attending the University of Massachusetts Stockbridge School of Agriculture, where he received his degree in Science in 1956.
He was employed for over 30 years by the Raytheon Corporation in Waltham and Andover until his retirement in 1991.
Thomas was a member of the Ancient York Masonic Lodge of Lowell, the Aleppo Shrine in Wilmington, and the Valley of Boston Scottish Rite. In addition, he was a former member of the Board of Directors for the Children’s House of Lowell.
He enjoyed working with his brother-in-law constructing residential homes, manufacturing concrete ornaments, woodworking, and attending socials at the Tewkbury Senior Center.
He is survived by his children, Carol A. Ryan of Tyngsboro, and Thomas R. Ruckledge, III of Tewksbury; his granddaughter, Erin Marie LaFlamme and her husband Ryan of Lowell; his sister, Elsie Faria of Lowell; and his dear friend Isabelle McGonigle of Chelmsford.
Tom was the brother of the late Jeanne Fraser.
Calling hours are Thursday, Sept. 6, from 4-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114 or to the First United Baptist Church Food Pantry, 99 Church St., Lowell, MA 01852.