Arthur E. Tucker

Arthur Edward Tucker, 74, of The Villages, FL and Northbridge MA died peacefully at home on December 2, 2021 with his wife, Linda, by his side.   In addition to Linda, Art leaves his daughter, Diana Gallery, son, Aaron, and step-sons Jamey and Matt Poirier.   Art was also blessed with 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, and many extended and well-loved family members and friends.

Born in Holden hospital on July 3, 1947, Art spent the first twenty years of his life living in Oakham, MA with his parents, Verno and Fanny, and three sisters, Anna, Mabel and Verna, all of whom have pre-deceased him. 

On his 20th birthday, Art enlisted in the US Air Force and honorably served four years during the Viet Nam War.

After discharge, Art settled in Duluth, MN and worked several years as a union carpenter.  Years later, Art returned with his children to New England and his hometown of Oakham, where he worked as a building inspector for the towns of Oakham and Spencer.  Following that, Art was employed for 20 years by the City of Worcester as a housing rehabilitation specialist.  Art enjoyed planning the restoration of Worcester’s three-deckers, encouraging first-time home ownership and improving inner-city neighborhoods.

Art and Linda shared a great love of the outdoors.  Prior to retirement the two built a house on the shores of Lake Quinsigamond and spent many happy hours sailing, boating, water skiing, running with the Central Mass Striders and entertaining their kids and grandkids on the waterfront.  Art enjoyed bow-hunting season but his favorite part of hunting was sitting in his bow-stand enjoying the beauty of nature during the early dawn hours.  He was also an avid fisherman whose favorite fishing spots were Quabbin Reservoir, Cape Cod Canal, Newfound Lake, NH and Sebago Lake, ME.

After retirement in 2007, Art and Linda moved to Madison, NH where they fell in love with cross-country and downhill skiing, mountain hiking, moose gazing, swimming and kayaking the Saco River.  Their home in Madison had a beautiful view of their favorite mountain, Mt Chocoura.  Following their time in Madison, they moved a little closer to their home state of Massachusetts and settled in Moultonboro just a hop and a skip from Lake Winnipesaukee.  They spent many happy hours cruising the lake in their 21 foot powerboat.

In 2018 the lure of endless summer had them trading cold NH winters for life in The Villages Florida.  There they enjoyed playing billiards, sitting poolside, listening to live bands at the town squares and exploring their new neighborhood and surrounding area.

Missing family, and the beauty of the changing seasons, Art and Linda recently became snowbirds dividing their time between FL and MA. 

Art had a deeply spiritual side and was truly grateful for all that was granted him in life – the love of friends, family, travel, the great outdoors and all the experiences that shaped his time on planet Earth. He battled a long and difficult illness with grace, courage and faith.  He will be dearly missed by many.

Art will be interred near his parents and sisters in the South Cemetery in Oakham.  In lieu of a funeral service, a celebration of Art’s life is planned for the Spring of 2022.  Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Art to Dementia Pals, www.dementiapals.org, a non-profit started by Linda and Art's sister-in-law Janet Clark.

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