Otto Tucker, was a Newfoundland and Labrador heritage activist, storyteller, and educator. He was a recipient of the Order of Canada for his work in promoting and preserving Newfoundland and Labrador heritage and the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador for his efforts that have made significant contributions to both the educational and cultural sectors of the province.
Early Life
Otto Tucker was born in Winterton, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada to John and Clara Tucker. His father fished during the summer, and migrated to the New England states during the winter to work as a carpenter. He had one sister, Florence. His mother was a Salvation Army officer who resigned from officership before her children were born, but encouraged them to pursue the faith. Tucker played cornet in the Salvation Army Corp's brass band beginning at a very early age.
After finishing the Summer School Teacher Training Program at Memorial College in 1942, Tucker was appointed a position in LaScie by the Salvation Army Superintendent at the Department of Education. He was 19 years old. From 1948-1949 he was the principal of the Salvation Army school in Botwood, and from 1949-1951 he was principal of the Salvation Army School in Gambo. During his time in Gambo, Tucker helped found the Gambo-Gander branch of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teacher's Association, and later co-founded a branch at Memorial University. While completing his thesis for his M.Ed at the University of Alberta, he taught history at Booth Memorial in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Tucker was the school principal and area administrator for the Mackenzie District of Northern Canada from 1961 to 1964. He held positions in both Aklavik and Fort MacPherson, Northwest Territories. He was a professor of Education at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia from until 1971 when he was appointed to Memorial University of NewfoundlandFaculty of Education until his retirement.
Other Achievements
In 1986, Tucker portrayed Grandpa Walcott in a CBC adaptation of the Ted Russell's Tales from Pigeon Inlet called Yarns from Pigeon Inlet. Tucker had a passionate interest in Newfoundland and Labrador's connection to the Wessex area of England. In 1984, he co-founded the Wessex Society of Newfoundland, serving as its president for 22 years. The association is dedicated to promoting Newfoundland and Labrador's ties to the West Country of England. His enthusiasm for this subject led to the creation of a sister Wessex Society in Dorset, England.
Awards
In 1997, Tucker received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Memorial University. In 1999, he was made an Honorary Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teacher's Association. Tucker also received the Canada 125 medal, the Heritage Award of the Newfoundland and Labrador Historical Society, and the Silver Cross of St. George. In 2004, Tucker was one of the first nine inductees of The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence and achievement in fields which benefit in an outstanding manner the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. On April 6, 2006, Tucker was awarded The Order of Canada for his work promoting the heritage and culture of Newfoundland and Labrador, and safe guarding its traditions and oral histories.
Death
Tucker died on October 6, 2015 at the age of 92 after a long illness.
Books
Tucker, Otto., and Sylvia Quinton Ficken. From the Heart of a Bayman. St. John's: Harry Cuff Publications, 1984.
Tucker, Otto., Ted Russell, Cyril F. Poole, Jessie Mifflen, George H. Earle, G. M. Story, and Sylvia Quinton Ficken. A Yaffle of Yarns: Five Newfoundland Writers. St. John's: Harry Cuff Publications, 1985.
Tucker, Otto. A Collection of Stories. Seventh Wave Newfoundland Writers Series. St. John's: Harry Cuff, 1987.
Tucker, Otto. That Nothing Be Lost. St. John's: Harry Cuff Publications, 2003.
Articles
: A Newfoundlander's Quest for his English Roots. NL Ancestor, 2.3.
