John M. Tucker

John M. Tucker, SCPO, U.S. Navy, Retired.Middletown - John M. Tucker, SCPO, U.S. Navy, retired, 53 of Beacon St., Middletown, RI formerly of Ocean Bluff, MA and Quincy, MA died at home after a seven-year fight against cancer on Saturday, August 25, 2007.He was the loving husband of Judith A. Tucker. They had been married for 28 years.He was born on June 19, 1954 in Boston, MA to Elizabeth A. Foley Tucker and the late Vincent J. Tucker. He joined the Navy in October 1972 and served in numerous duty stations including: USS Garcia DE-1040; US Naval Facility, Brawdy, Wales, UK; Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, DC; USS Barry DD-933; US Military Training Mission, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Headquarters, US European Command, Stuttgart, Germany; USS Farragut DDG-37; USS Inchon LPH-12; and Naval War College, Newport, RI. While in Saudi Arabia, he participated in Operation ?Intense Look?, the international mine hunting effort of the Red Sea in 1984. While in Germany he participated in various exercises and operations in Germany, Spain, Morocco, and Israel. In addition he was a member of the Crisis Action Team that coordinated national assets that led to the capture of the Palestinian terrorists who had hijacked the liner Achille Lauro in 1985. During Operation ?Sharp Edge? while onboard Inchon, with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Ops Configured embarked, he planned, coordinated and executed the evacuation of non-combatants out of Monrovia, Liberia during that nation?s civil war in 1990. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War era and Desert Shield/Desert Storm.Upon retirement from the Navy in 1994, he volunteered for several organizations. For his restoration work on ?Bandwagon?, a Dark Harbor Class sailboat displayed at the Museum of Yachting, Newport, he was selected as the Museum?s 1994 Volunteer of the Year. He was a regular volunteer driver for the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport, during Tournament Week and Induction Ceremonies. He volunteered as a Piping Plover Monitor for both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Sachuest Point, Middletown and the Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown. He was a member of the Middletown Planning Board, having served as Vice-Chair. He was Chair of the Middletown Comprehensive Plan Update Committee. He also served as Chair of the Middletown Wind Turbine Committee. He was also a member of the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission. As a member of the Aquidneck Island Partnership, he advocated for the protection of the Island?s open space and agricultural lands, and promoting alternative modes of transportation, particularly the restoration of rail service on Aquidneck Island. Because of his efforts, he was the Partnership?s Person of the Year for 2000. He was a member of the Aquidneck Land Trust.He enjoyed walks with his wife at Second Beach, Sachuest Point and the Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area. He particularly enjoyed going on vacation with Judy to the Northeast Kingdom, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. He also enjoyed baking artisan breads and providing gourmet dinners for family and friends. He is now a fulfilled Red Sox fan.Besides his wife and mother, he is survived by brother Joseph P. Tucker of Quincy, MA; sisters Theresa A. Walsh of Pembroke, MA; Mary P. Tucker of Weymouth, MA; Barbara C. Tucker of Utica, NY and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late James E. Tucker.Funeral arrangements are private.Kindly omit flowers. Donations in his memory may be made to: Norman Bird Sanctuary, Piping Plover Protection Plan, 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown, RI 02842.