H. Winfield Tucker

H. Winfield Tucker, 88 years old of 946 J Tuckertown Road, Wakfield, died at home January 16, 2010. Mr. Tucker was the husband of Phyllis (Armstrong). He was born March 3, 1921 to the late Howard Winfield Tucker and Marion Louise (Kent) Tucker. Mr. Tucker was a 1943 graduate of Rhode Island State College (now the University of Rhode Island), receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. During WWII he served briefly in the United States Navy but suffered partial loss of his hearing after a bout with scarlet fever as a seaman recruit. Mr. Tucker was a well-known potato and sod farmer in the South County community, where he used his engineering background to design and create innovative and efficient farm machinery. Mr. Tucker was inducted into the Rhode Island Agricultural Hall of Fame, in May of 2007 in recognition of such accomplishments. He was a former member of the Hope Club in Providence, and a member of the Wickford Yacht Club, the URI Foundation, the Wakefield Rotary, and a long serving member on the Board of Trustees for South County Hospital. He also served as chairman of the former Pier Bank Board and was a director of Southern New England Farm Credit for many years. He was a member of Peace Dale Congregational Church in Wakefield, serving on many committees in years past. In 1997 Mr. Tucker was one of the first to be inducted into the URI College of Engineering Founder’s Club and Mr. Tucker possessed an insatiable curiosity that led him to many varied interests. Along with a friend he established the first licensed winery in RI; South County Vineyards. Among his passions were sailing, piloting, his work, and innumerable building projects. He designed and built several potato warehouses, his much loved home on White Pond, and his final project, a log cabin on Tucker Pond. All who knew him will miss his fabled stories. Among all his substantial accomplishments, the one he was the most proud of was his family. He leaves his wife of 65 years and four children; Howard W. Tucker (wife Marilyn), Eve Keenan (husband Thomas), Linda Tucker (husband Richard Hodgson) Bonnie L’Etoile (husband Eugene), eight grandchildren: Gregory Tucker, AJ Tucker, Thomas Keenan, Hillary Keenan, Dawson Hodgson, Benjamin Hodgson, Jacob L’Etoile and Nathan L’Etoile. There are 12 great grandchildren. His sister, Dorothy Browning and a niece, Marilyn Browning and nephew Barry Browning also survive him. A memorial service to celebrate Mr. Tuckers’ life will be held February 6, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the Peace Dale Congregational Church, Wakefield, RI. Please omit flowers. Donations may be be made in his memory to South County Hospital, 100 Kenyon Ave, Wakefield, RI 02879. For guest book and condolences, averystortifuneralhome.com.