Telco stalwart ‘Tuck’ remembered

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Robert Eugene Tucker was his given name, but he was “Robbie Tuck” to most who got to know and highly esteem him, when he became a man, and a fine gentleman at that, after he grew up in Angle Street, Hamilton, and more specifically on “Sugar Hill”. The “hill” towered over the street that continues to be an inconic landmark in Bermuda's history, and was the playground for others who grew to be outstanding personages on many local and some international fronts.

Born on October 5, 1939, Robert was the first of two sons born to the late Thaddeus Tucker and his wife Eva (Bramble) Tucker. His younger brother was Hilgrove Tucker, who made an indellible mark during many years in the Hamilton Fire Service. He passed away nearly two years ago, leaving wife Marjorie Tucker, a well-known Pembroke Community Club dance instructor; and his beloved aunt, Mrs. Martha (Bramble) Francis, who for many years was Principal of Prospect Primary School

Robert died just over a week ago, August 20 after undergoing medical treatment abroad. Shockingly his sister-in-law Marjorie died one day after Robert Tucker. Her funeral is set for tomorrow, at the New Testament Church of God, Hamilton.

St Paul AME Church in Hamilton was packed to capacity with the hundreds, mostly menfolk, attending the mid-morning “remembrance service” for Robert.

Officiating were Pastor the Rev Lanel Guyton and the Rev Judith Gardner, executive minister, assisted by the Rev Debra Evans. Scripture readings were by Sisters Patricia Bell and Eunice Maddern.

Heartfelt tributes full of wit and good humour about Robert and his congeniality, spinning tops, playing “Cowboys and Indians” growing from one of the best pressed and dressed boys on Sugar Hill to become, lifelong, one of the neatest, pressed from head-to toe “man about town”.

He “contributed 38 years of his life providing valuable service to the Bermuda Telephone Company (BTC)”, fellow executive Shervin L Dill told the congregation. He was a Field Technician responbible for installations and maintenence in residences island-wide. He also worked in the Special Services department and was a Specialist Technician in the PayPhone Section. He was largely responsible for the evolution of payphones in the country. He had a hand in practically every installation that took place; he repaired them and collected the monies from them for many years.

He started at BTC on February 3, 1961 finishing up on July 24, 1999, 13 years ago that seemed like only yesterday.Mr. Dill went on.

“Robert taught us all valuable lessons about our trade in the telephone bsiness,” he said. “By his example he always made his time, was dependable, always polite; he had exceptional manners. His golden rule was ‘there’s a time to work and a time to play’, but get the work done first. He got his assignments done first, and met all expectations, exceeding many as a technician”.

However, he added, with good humour, “there was one thing I never quite figured out though, while some jobs took longer than others, especially if he had to fix a payphone at Spinning Wheel, PHC Club or Leopards Club where many of his friends imbibed, he put extra effort making sure they had excellent service before he left.”

Mr. Dill said Robert Tucker was one of many pioneers (whom he named) “who built Telco to the great financial institution and company that it is today”.

Robert was also famous at Telco for his dress code. He loved his Bermuda shorts and wore them year round, on the coldest and rainest days, Mr Dill said, adding he couldn’t ever remember seeing him in long pants.

“Robbie Tuck was just a nice guy to work with and a good friend who will be sadly missed.”

Othere paying eloquent tributes to Robert Tucker were Cranston Warren and his sister Moira Bean, childhood friends who told absolutely fascinating tales about growing up with him on “Sugar Hill”. Also Leopards Club representative Danny Richardson; and his godchild Sharon Burgess.

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