Francis J. "Frank" Tucker, a 5 year resident of Wakefield and former 30 year resident of Salem, died on Sunday March 1, 2009 at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital in Melrose following an axtended illness. He was 83 years old.
Frank was born in Boston on March 28, 1925. He grew up in Charlestown where he attended Boston Public Schools and Charlestown High School. He enlisted into the United States Army on June 3, 1943 and served in the European and Southwest Theaters. After the surrender of Japan, he served with the Arctic Patrol of the U.S. Army Air Corps in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was discharged from the service on February 27, 1946 with the rank of First Sergeant.
Frank began working with the Capitol Police in 1948 and retired in 1990 as the longest serving member of the force after 42 years on the Massachusetts Capitol Police at the State House in Boston, prior to its merger with the Massachusetts State Police. During his service, Frank served under eight governors, and his duties included providing security for John F. Kennedy, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., General Douglas MacArthur, Jimmy Stewart, Mary Pickford, Jimmy Durante, The Beatles, Prince Charles of England and Pope John Paul ll. He was also assigned to the Attorney General's office to assist in the investigation of the "Boston Strangler" case. He was a member of The Massachusetts Police Chief's Association, the Massachusetts Police Association and the National Federation of Police.
Frank was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, elected Massachusetts State Commander in 1990. He was a Past State Commander and Past National Senior Vice Commander of the Army and Navy Union, Past Chapter Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Charter Member of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Life Member of Post # 12 Franco American Veterans, Honorary Life Member of the Haifa, Israel Post of Jewish War Veterans, Life Member and Past Massachusetts Department Commander of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. In 1999, Frank organized the 11th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a ceremonial organization honoring soldiers of the American Civil War.
Frank is the beloved husband of the late Katherine P. (Fry) Tucker. He is the devoted father of Nancy J. Leausa of Manchester, New Hampshire, Charles E. Tucker of Laconia, New Hampshire, Kevin P. Tucker of Wakefield, step-father of Sueann Cole of Boston, Theresa Morse of Newton Junction, New Hampshire, Andrea Najarian of Farmington, New Hampshire and Holly Najarian of Alexandria, Virginia. He is the loving grandfather of Cheryl Eccleston of Manchester, New Hampshire, Benjamin Tucker of Allston, Charles Tucker of Laconia, New Hampshire, Noel Amirault of Laconia, New Hampshire, Frank J. Mulvihill of Manchester, New Hampshire, Asa Leausa U.S.M.C., Orianna Leausa of Manchester, New Hampshire and Matepelu Leausa of Manchester, New Hampshire along with numerous great-grandchildren. He is the beloved brother of Charles Tucker of Medford, the late George Tucker, Dorothy Callahan, William Tucker, Robert Tucker and Ruth Ortiz. He is the beloved son of the late Charles E. and Edna M. (Colby) Tucker.
Frank's Funeral will be held on Friday March 6, 2009 at 9 a.m. from The Carr Funeral Home, 1159 Main St. WAKEFIELD/MELROSE line followed by his Funeral Service in The Trinity Episcopal Church, 131 W. Emerson St. Melrose at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday March 4, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday March 5, 2009 from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make memorial donations in Frank's name to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St. Suite B-102, Danvers, Mass. 01923.