Cecil W. Tucker

GRANITEVILLE – Cecil W. “Pete” Tucker, 98, a longtime Graniteville resident passed away peacefully on Monday, September 9, 2019 at the Woodridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Berlin. With his passing, the community has lost his invaluable memory of local history and innumerable jokes and stories.

Born April 15, 1921 in Barre, he was the son of William George and Florence Emogene (Eastman) Tucker. He attended local elementary schools and graduated from Spaulding High School with the class of 1939.

In 1942, Pete joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in Fort Devens, MA and serving in World War II as an airplane mechanic at Lincoln AFB, NE; Gore Field, Great Falls, MT; Buckley Field, Denver, CO: and two years at Ladd Airfield, Fairbanks, AK. At Ladd Airfield, he was in the Honor Guard when Russian Foreign Minister Molotov arrived on his way to the formation meeting of the United Nations in San Francisco. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal on November 19, 1945. His love of airplanes stayed with him and he could identify many aircraft by the sound of the engine. He took his family to numerous air shows and airports.

On July 19, 1946 in Graniteville, he married Arline Ewen. Following their marriage, they made their home in Graniteville for 73 years. Arline passed away in February of 2013.

Pete was a self-employed carpenter, remodeling many homes in the Barre-Montpelier area. He was proud of the fact that he never had to advertise, as his work spoke for itself. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Graniteville where he served as Elder, Trustee, and was a member of the Friendship Forum. He was also Past Master of the Granite Lodge #35, Past Patron of Ruth Chapter #33, and a member of Charity Chapter #57, Order of the Eastern Star.   Additionally, Pete served on the Barre Town Cemetery Commission for over 25 years, was a charter member of the Washington County Stamp Club, a member of the Green Mountain Gladiolus Society. Pete and Arline enjoyed many excursions with the (Masonic) National Camping Travelers.

In 2015, just days after his 94 ^th birthday, Pete had the privilege and thrill of flying an Honor Flight to Washington, DC, to view the World War II Memorial and the Air Force Memorial, among others.

Survivors include his son Bill Tucker and his wife, Debbie of Mariposa, CA; his daughter Jane Tucker and her husband, Kevin Thompson of Putnamville, VT; his son-in-law Tom Willard of Buckeye, AZ; his grandchildren Heather Parizo and her husband, Neil of Holly Springs, NC; Holly Willard and her partner, Paul LaFogg of Newmarket, NH; Amber Caredio and her husband, Jed of Ponchatoula, LA; Robert Thompson of Montpelier, VT; Daniel Thompson of Cambridge, MA; Angela Tucker, of Discovery Bay, CA; Jimmy Turturici and his wife, Sari Smith of Des Moines, WA; Ronnie Turturici and his wife, Caitlin Smith of Santa Cruz, CA; many nieces and nephews. He also leaves seven great-grandchildren: Taylor Parizo; Haylea Verrastro; Konner, Christian, and Kelly Caredio; Cleo and Pearl Turturici. He also leaves his companion, Louise Lessard and her family: Linda and Gordon Bullard, JoAnne Savard; and Donald Lessard.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Arline Tucker; his daughter Mary Ellen Willard; his brothers Kenneth, Roland and Clyde Tucker, and his sisters Marjorie Brown, Loraine Burns and Joyce Carr.

His family is grateful to his Graniteville neighbors and the staff from Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice for their wonderful care that helped keep Pete in his home until the last three weeks of his life.

The service to honor and celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Graniteville, 648 Graniteville Road, Graniteville, VT. Inurnment will take place in the Wilson Cemetery in Lower Websterville at 10:00 a.m., prior to the service. Family and friends may call on Friday, September 27, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre.

Memorial contributions may be made to CVHHH, 600 Granger Road, Berlin, VT 05641; Honor Flight New England, PO Box 16287, Hooksett, NH 03106.