Obituary of Paul E. Tucker

Paul K. Tucker of Manchester, beloved husband of Ruth (McGinn) Tucker died on Saturday, April 12, 2014, after a long and courageous struggle with multiple sclerosis.

Born in Boston on October 7, 1928, the son of the late Harold and Catherine (Conrick) Tucker and raised in Lynn, MA, Paul relocated to the Manchester area in 1954, following his discharge from the military. An alumnus of St. Mary's Boys' High School in Lynn and a Golden Eagle graduate of Boston College School of Business Administration, he was a chief buyer and subcontract specialist in the Purchasing Department of Pratt Whitney Aircraft, who retired after thirty-four years with the company. A U. S. Army veteran, Paul served as a. a company commander in the Medical Service Corps of the 3rd Infantry Division in Korea, and, among other citations, he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service against an armed enemy. Active in the Legion of Mary for close to four decades, Paul was a communicant of St. Bartholomew Church where he had served faithfully over many years as a lector, a shelter volunteer, a member of the parish council and as a member of various committees from the time the parish was established in October of 1958.

An avid fan of his children and his grandchildren in all of their athletic and academic endeavors, the Boston Red Sox, and the Boston College sports program in general, Paul Tucker believed his greatest legacy would be his family, and he always considered his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren "his riches."

In addition to his beloved wife of almost 59 years, he is survived by four daughters, Marybeth and her husband, Dr. David C. Moyer, of Manchester, Susan and her husband, Dr. Peter F. D'Addario, of Farmington, Kathryn (Kate) of Westford, MA, Julie and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Alan Shawcross USAF (Ret.) of Phoenix, AZ, and a son, Paul, of Bolton; the joys of his life, his thirteen grandchildren, MaryKate and her husband, David Haverly, Kara and Megan Moyer; Jane, Daniel, and Emily D'Addario; Andrew and Margaret Maguire; Callan, Timothy, and Evan Shawcross; Sarah and PJ Tucker; his precious great-granddaughters, Claire Elizabeth, Laura Marie, and Annabelle Rose Haverly; sisters-in-law, Barbara Hodecker of Meredith, NH, and Elizabeth Tucker of Chapel Hill, NC; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. In addition to his parents, Paul was predeceased by his brother, James H. Tucker, and his son-in-law, Joseph G. Maguire.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the nurses and staff of Crestfield/Fenwood Manor, Annette Heim of Heim Home Health Care, LLC, physical therapists, Terry Wilson of the VNA and Angela LaBella of the Center for Physical Therapy & Wellness, Charlotte Manning for her dedication and spiritual support throughout Paul's illness, and to the exceptional physicians who provided guidance and counsel in dealing with Paul's MS. Bless you, One and All!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at St. Bartholomew Church, 45 Ludlow Road, Manchester. Everyone is requested to meet at the church. Burial with full military honors will follow at the East Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center Street, Manchester, on Tuesday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations in Paul's memory be made to the St. Bartholomew Church Development Fund, 45 Ludlow Road, Manchester, CT 06040, or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Connecticut Chapter, 659 Tower Avenue, First Floor, Hartford, CT 06112-1269.