Educator, historian and author Otto Tucker passes away

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Twelve years ago, when he was 80, Otto Tucker told The Telegram the secret to his longevity.

Otto Tucker. Submitted photo

“I’ve lived on my humour,” he said, talking about how a good sense of humour was an important aspect of his life.

His humour served him well — Tucker passed away Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Mercy Home in St. John’s, at the ripe age of 92.

Tucker was born in Winterton and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from MUN, a Masters of Education from the University of Alberta, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Toronto. He taught at Acadia University in Nova Scotia and was later appointed to the Faculty of Education at MUN, where he worked until he retired in 1995.

Tucker was also a Salvation Army officer, commissioned to teach and preach in schools and churches across the province, and co-founded the Wessex Society of Newfoundland, with the goal of promoting ties between this province and England.

He was one of the first recipients of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2004, and had also received the Order of Canada, the Silver Cross of St. George, the Heritage Award of the Newfoundland Historical Society, and an honourary doctor of laws from MUN.

“Work like the dickens at what you believe it,” Tucker replied in 1999, when asked by The Telegram for his personal motto. “And don’t get discouraged and give up because you’ve failed. Start again.”

Tucker was also an actor, playing Grandpa Walcott on CBC-TV’s “Yarns from Pigeon Inlet.” He was well-known for his wit, and was a popular guest speaker as well as an a author, with a number of published books to his credit: autobiographies and commentaries on life in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Fellow professor and Winterton native James Downey wrote the forward of Tucker’s 2003 book, “That Nothing be Lost: Recording the Elusive Memories of Otto Tucker.”

“Whether as a teacher, preacher, after-dinner speaker of over a glass of wine or a cup of tea, Otto is great company, enlivening each occasion through humour, optimism and empathy,” Downey wrote.

Tucker leaves his wife of 60 years, Ruby; two sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. A visitation will take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home on Freshwater Road Monday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., and a service of remembrance will be held at the Salvation Army Temple on Torbay Road on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizations: Salvation Army, Mercy Home, University of Alberta University of Toronto Acadia University Wessex Society of Newfoundland

Geographic location: Winterton, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada Silver Cross Freshwater Road Torbay Road

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  • Peter Morris
    October 09, 2015 - 10:11

    Dr. Otto Tucker was a true gentle man. He often made me laugh and always made me smile. He was as wise and likable a fellow as you'd ever be privileged to meet.