Otto Tucker, born January 1, 1923, in Winterton, Trinity Bay, Canada, and died October 6, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Mercy Home in St. John’s.
Otto Tucker wife of 60 years, Ruby (Perry); and sons William and Craig; his daughters-in-law Karen Delane and Kelley Fewer; his grandchildren, whom he adored greatly, Kathryn, Andrew, Nathan, and Lily, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Dr Tucker was pre-deceased by his parents John and Clara Pitcher; as well as his sister Florence Rowsell and his nephew John Rowsell.
Tucker is a well-known educator in Newfoundland and Labrador, he gained 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.
Dr Otto 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 objectives 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 a Doctorate of laws from MUN.
Tucker was also an actor, he played Grandpa Walcott on CBC-TV’s “Yarns from Pigeon Inlet.”
Otto was well-known for his wit and whether as a teacher, preacher, after-dinner speaker of over a glass of wine or a cup of tea, Otto was great company, enlivening each occasion through humour, optimism and empathy.
Tucker was a popular guest speaker as well as an author, with a number of published books to his credit: autobiographies and commentaries on life in Newfoundland and Labrador
Otto Tucker passed away on October 6, 2015.