John L. Tucker

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John L. Tucker

SOUTH PARIS — John L. Tucker, 78, of South Paris died Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Market Square Health Care Center in South Paris. He was born in South Paris on April 16, 1932, the son of Archie and Dorothy Parker Tucker. He resided in the South Paris area his entire life, graduating from Paris High School in 1951.

During the Korean Conflict he served in Japan with the 507th AAA Battalion from 1952-1954. After his discharge from the service he married Collene Martin on February 27, 1955. Leaving his employment with B. I. W. to complete his education attending the Maine School of Commerce under the G. I. Bill program, he graduated in June of 1958. He then began that same year what he described as a way of life, not a job, with Maine Machine Products, holding various positions in office management, purchasing and finance, retiring 39 years later as Vice President of Administration. During his employment he earned the designation of Certified Purchasing Manager, an honor authorized by the National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM) on February 4, 1976.

Mr. Tucker served on the Town of Paris budget committee for 12 years and was Chairman for eight. He also was on the Board of Selectman for six years, being Chairman twice. He was a member of the Paris Lodge #94 AF & AM, Past Master 1964, Oxford Chapter #29 Royal Arch Masons, Oriental Lodge #22, Kora Temple A. A. O. N. MS of Lewiston, Oxford County Shrine Club, NAPM-Maine, SCORE, Oxford Hills Growth Council, the First Congregational Church of South Paris, and treasurer of the Oxford Hills Food Pantry.

He enjoyed recreational times, hunting in Sumner and Singepole in South Paris, skiing at Sunday River with the Ski Patrol in the 1980s, holding Patroller #E326-068. Fishing was entertaining at his summer cottage for 41 years, “Camp Craggshagg” on Shagg Pond.

Mr. Tucker is survived by a daughter, Tina Amidon and her husband Roger of Tequesta, FL; grandchildren, Roger and Nicole Amidon; a sister, Barbara Laprino-Porter of Scarborough and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Collene on July 25, 2002 and his parents.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 11 at 2 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris. Spring interment will be in Riverside Annex Cemetery, South Paris. Paris Lodge # 94 AF & AM will conduct public Masonic services at that time. Donations in his memory can be made to the First Congregational Church, 17 E. Main St., South Paris, ME 04281. On-line condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.