Obituary of Stanley Tucker

LITTLE FALLS Stanley Tucker, 91, a long time Little Falls resident and admired science teacher at Little Falls High School, currently of 239 Ashton Court, Clifton Springs, NY, passed away Wednesday, 14 September 2011 at the Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic following a brief illness. Stanley Tucker was born on 30 December 1919 in North Brookfield, MA the son of the late Stanley E. and Jessie G. (Perrin) Tucker. He graduated from North Brookfield High School in 1937 and received his Baccalaureate of Science degree from Springfield College (MA) in 1941. He later received his Master of Science degree in science education from Boston University. He was united in marriage to his wife of 64 years, the former Edith Hardy, on 28 June 1947 at the First United Methodist Church in Clarks Green, PA. Mr. Tucker was a veteran of World War II, having served with the 6th Bombardment Group of the United States Army in the Asian-Pacific Theater. After his honorable discharge as a First Lieutenant on 2 April 1946, Mr. Tucker joined the teaching faculty of Jasper High School (NY) where he taught high school science and physical education until 1948. In 1948 he joined the faculty of Little Falls High School where he was a highly-regarded high school science teacher, senior class advisor, and regular advisor to "The Profile" yearbook for thirty-three years until his retirement in 1981. During his teaching career at Little Falls High School, Mr. Tucker taught courses in general science, earth science, chemistry, and physics, where he inspired many of his students to successful careers in academia, science, medicine, and law. Early in his career in Little Falls, he also served ably in the physical education program, including for a time, as varsity assistant football coach. He and his wife Edith resided for sixty-one years at 76 Ward Street, Little Falls before relocating to the Finger Lakes Region of central New York to be near family. During their time in Little Falls, he was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, until its closure, and then the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Tucker was also a long-time member of the Masonic Lodge, a committeeman with the former General Herkimer Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and an active member of the New York State Retired Teachers Association having served both as President of the Herkimer County Retired Teachers Associations and President of the Central Zone of the New York State Retired Teachers Association. From 1985 to 2009, Stanley and Edith spent the winter months in Lakeland, FL where they enjoyed the company of their many friends from Little Falls and the Mohawk Valley region. Stanley Tucker will be fondly remembered by his loving wife, Edith, of Clifton Springs, NY; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert D. Tucker and Julie (Morris) of Great Falls, VA; his daughter, Nancy J. Feligno of Geneva, NY; and his grandchildren, Laura D. Feligno of Geneva, NY, Kathryn J. Feligno of Waltham, MA, and Jeffery M. Feligno of Seattle, WA. He also leaves behind his brother and sister-in-law, C. Waldo Tucker and Shirley Tucker of Worcester, MA; his sister, Ruth P. Laird of Amsterdam, NY; and his cherished nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 11:30 am from the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls with the Rev. Jon A. Noble, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Little Falls officiating. Relatives, friends, colleagues, and former students are invited to pay respects at the funeral home on Friday, September 23, 2011 from 5-7 pm, or on Saturday morning from 9-11:30 am, and to attend the funeral services following Saturday morning visiting hours. Internment will take place immediately after Saturday services at Church Street Cemetery, Little Falls, NY. It is the wish of the family that donations in memory of Stanley Tucker be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 16 Jackson St., Little Falls, NY 13365 or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Upstate New York Chapter, Rochester, NY. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home for this purpose.