William Albert Tucker

When someone lives as long as Bill Tucker did, the recollections of many of the friends, colleagues, and in his case, even some of the students, who would commemorate him, are already gone. I speak in that regard partly for my father, Ted Ram, who grew up with Bill on English Street in the 1930s; by mutual consensus later in life, my father the older and Bill the wiser. As I grew up in the same place in the 1950s, Bill was a frequent visitor to my grandfather’s, and then my father’s, printshop, and to my father’s piano. I don’t know if it was true or not, but my father, who himself played a decent ragtime and honky-tonk medley, once confided that he and Bill had started piano lessons together, his point being to hold Bill up as an example of what could be done through persistence, practice, and not quitting lessons too soon. The same example would later be used for education, my father having quit high school, while Bill had gone on to bigger and better things. Bill came to teach at Beck part way through my own time as a student there (1967-72) in 1970 or ’71, and while I was never in any of the classes he taught, as a member of Beck’s student lighting and stage crew I had ample opportunity to observe his antics teaching Shakespeare – as theatre rather than just play script – in the school auditorium, and in taking up the cause and baton of the famous Beck singing auditoria from the retiring Carl Chapman. He was, if I recall correctly, responsible for the famous “Come Beck, Arouse Ye” school fight song. That song struck us all as corny even then, but in hindsight it was also a crafty way of getting the school’s athletic cadres (faculty and student) to join everyone else in song. And the day a saboteur unplugged my overhead projector showing song lyrics, it was Bill who sort of bounded onto the stage and started singing them at the top of his lungs, to the visible relief of Mr. Chapman, who’d been left alone on stage with a pointer and a dark screen. Bill also spent much of my time at Beck in an unsuccessful effort to recruit my late friend Brian Morrison, who had a tremendous baritone voice but who was utterly tone deaf and could not, in his own words, carry a tune in a bucket, into the school Glee Club. I cannot speak to his pedagogical prowess in the classroom, but Bill’s enthusiasm, his engagement with every student, and his persistent optimism were there for everyone to see. And reading the accounts of his retirement and old age from his obituary, they remained with him as long as he lived. He and my father played all sorts of music at each other at the family piano, but his “go to” piece for any sort of public performance was the Warsaw Concerto, and his obituary conjured up for me the image of Bill pounding out Addinsell’s thundering chords in front of a room full of puzzled octogenarians. Or perhaps bounding onto the stage, if there was one, to lead everyone in song. Do they have fight songs in retirement homes?? As a fellow child of English Street, Bill was also, for me, the first reminder that my teachers were human beings, capable of pride and frustration, whose lives had led them into teaching as a vocation. I never met his wife and children, but his parents grew old on English street. I delivered their newspaper for years, and later in life my father and I shared the occasional Christmas whiskey or brandy with them, drunk from teacups, lest passing neighbours get the wrong (or perhaps the right) impression. Time and people move relentlessly on. I moved away from our neighborhood, but long after his parents were gone, Bill still returned on occasion to visit my father, and no doubt his own childhood. The last time I saw him was when my father died in 2005. But on reading his obituary, it struck me that he lived the last decades of his life very much the same person as he lived his first decades, taking his own pleasure and sense of self in the pleasure he created for those around him. Chris Ram

We have the fondest memories of Mr. Tucker who taught piano to our kids when they were younger, was always kind, always made us laugh with his jokes and genuinely had so much love for others. Our deepest condolences.

Dear Bill, I'm so sorry to have just learned today (Oct 4/24) about the passing of your very vibrant and talented Dad. After being away on vacation for two weeks, I just spoke with my own Dad, Bill Holland, also a Peoplecare resident, who shared this news with me. I will miss not only running into you at PC for family events, but hearing your Dad brighten the home with his beautiful piano-playing. What a loss. My sincere condolences.

Dear Bill & family, My condolences on the loss of your dear Father. I’m sure your many happy memories will give you some consolation in this time of sadness. Sincerely, Brenda

Mr. Tucker taught me at Wheable he was a great English teacher. Godspeed Mr. Tucker. Thoughts and prayers to the family. ~Andrew Stolarski

I am very sorry for your loss. Wishing the entire Tucker family my deepest condolences.

A donation has been made to Children’s Health Foundation. Message from the donator: We give thanks for a life well lived. Blessings always. Horace and Betty

Bill taught out daughter piano and he would play and entertain our other daughter who has cerebral palsy! He was so kind and she loved him playing to her! We lived not far away! This was many years ago! He was so kind !

Your father meant the world to my father ( John Boorman) Dad delivered the London Free for 20 years to him. Bill invited him and my mother over at Christmas for a piano concert., and when my mom passed away he was such a comfort to dad. All my heartfelt wishes for your own comfort at this very sad time.

A donation has been made to Children's Health Foundation. Message from the donator: Dear Bill, Mary Ann, and Family, We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of your father and grandfather. Please know that all of us here are thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. While words may not ease the pain of such a profound loss, we hope you find comfort in remembering the many ways he touched your lives with his love, strength, and wisdom. His memory will undoubtedly live on through the stories and lessons he shared with you. We are here to support you in any way we can and hope that the strength of your family and friends brings you peace in the days ahead. With deepest sympathy, The TVDSB Senior Team

Mr. Tucker was a rare kind of teacher—the kind who doesn't just teach, but shapes and inspires lives. I had the great fortune of being in his English class at Sir Adam Beck Collegiate Institute for several years and being a small school I was lucky to be in his class over three different grades. His influence became deeply woven into the fabric of who I am. It was in his classroom that intellectual curiosity truly took root, guiding me into my own career as a teacher and journalist. He was a teacher of the highest caliber, and one whose belief in his students was a driving force. He demanded excellence but never hesitated to praise or recognize hard work and talent. He was poised, formal, demanding but quick to praise his students and often would reward top homework and essays by gifting books filled with handwritten comments—thoughtful, constructive, insightful, and kind. His words were never just about the assignments; they were about us as people. "I believe in my students because they make me believe in perfection," he once wrote. And it was that belief that sparked something in us all, encouraging us to rise and dream beyond the expectations of a small-town and working-class school. His dramatic readings of the poems, short-stories and plays of the course curricula were spine-tingling and memorable, along with his impromptu piano concerts from his grand piano at the back of the class where he would often fill the classroom and the hallways with moving renditions of Rachmaninoff, Mahler, Shostakovich. His passion for literature and music was palpable, and he imparted that love with a singular impact and meaning to every student who had the privilege of learning from him. One of my fondest memories was of Mr. Tucker giving my mother roses after I performed Hamlet in a school production. He told her, with tears in his eyes, that it was the best performance he'd seen in his teaching career. My mother, an immigrant from Greece, was moved by his honor and recognition, but simply replied in her halting English, “Yes, thank you very, very much, but better now he just stay finish school.” He wasn’t just a teacher in the classroom; he exemplified the kind of teacher everyone wishes they had—always encouraging, thought-provoking, generous with his praise, and deeply invested in the potential of every student. He opened our eyes to the world. He took us on trips to Stratford to experience award-winning Shakespearean productions and introduced us to the richness of other contemporary theater. He urged us to seek out live performances everywhere, to explore and celebrate life’s deeper meanings expressed through art and literature. And we did. Because of him, many of us took the "road less traveled," and our lives are richer for it. Rest in peace, Mr. Tucker. You will always be “Captain, my Captain”. Your legacy lives on in every life you touched. Arch Angelus Sturaitis

My heart goes out to the entire Tucker family. The loss of this wonderful man will be hard for all of you. My sincere condolences. Kate Young

Bill and Family, We would like to pass on our very sincere condolences on the passing of your dad. We can see that your dad had a very rewarding and fulfilling life. Our thoughts are with you and your entire family!

With a presence of a trained stage actor, MrTucker was a memorable teacher for many of us at Saunders secondary in the 80s He played beautiful piano music each Christmas in the space by the office and put even the grouchiest teenager in a festive mood. He read from the front of class in a manner that kept us all in rapt attention even when the dog dies in Who Has Seen the Wind and he needed a moment as it reminded him of his own boy hood dog. Rest well, sir. May you go forward shining

I am so sorry for your loss. Gosh he was a great teacher. He instilled the idea of honesty should not be punished. I am sure he touched th4 loves of so many students he was a favorite of many for many reasons. He has a great legacy. Susan Class of 88

To Bill and Family: I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father, William. Wow - 93 is quite an accomplishment! Hoping that your many, many memories will sustain you and your family through a difficult time. - Cathy

We were so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. He was such a kind, warm, intelligent man. I had many wonderful conversations with him at Oakcrossing and he was such a fabulous friend to our mom, Dorothy Wallis after our dad passed away. Our most heartfelt condolences to your family

In April of 1968, I was a student at Althouse College of Education and I was assigned to G.A. Wheatley S. S. for my final student teaching assignment of the year. My “critic” teacher was Mr. W.A. Tucker. I had had a less than happy practice teaching assignment in English earlier that year at another school, so was somewhat apprehensive about how this gig would go, but I need not have worried. Helpful, encouraging, patient are just a few of the words describing this man. He gave me three weeks of the best experience a wannabe teacher could have. I recall that as part of my orientation to him and his classes, he provided me with a list of rules and expectations that he gave to all of his students at the commencement of their time with him. One of the rules, perhaps the final one, was: “ The “Sir” or “Mr. Tucker” habit will be present at all times.” He demanded respect but he gave it too. I recall a very positive rapport and give and take between this fine teacher and his students. I went on to a 30 year career teacher of English thanks in part to his influence on me. Sympathy to all family members.

Sincere condolences to all the Tucker family. Bill was such a lovely, family man, a true gentleman.

Bill, Shaun and to family and friends we are so sorry for your loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time. May he Rest In Peace 🙏

Where to start on how much Bill meant to our family. He knocked on our front door about 20 years ago. We had only recently moved into our home in northwest London, and I opened the door to a kind, smiling face with the most vibrant blue eyes. He explained that he had taught piano to the family who lived in the house before us, and since he noticed we had a basketball hoop in our driveway he wondered if we had children who might want lessons. I almost hugged him right there and then! As a mum of five busy children, the idea that this lovely (and extremely talented) man would come to our house every week to teach the children right in our home was a dream come true. Over the years that followed, he taught piano to all four of our daughters, and fostered in them a love of music that remains with them today. He often stayed for a bit after lessons to chat and we heard so many stories from his years as a teacher, and the wonderful love story that was Bill and his Jean. When Bill stopped teaching lessons and moved into Oak Crossing, he continued to call us on almost a weekly basis to tell us how much he loved our family, and to ask after how everyone was doing. We truly loved him too, and are so grateful for all he did for us. We can't even begin to express how much we will miss him. Our deepest condolences go out to all his extended family. We will always think of him every time we hear Debussy's Clair de Lune. With love and heartfelt sympathy, Kate, Ian, Malory, Gareth, Gillian, Nora, and Claire Ross

Bill was a kind and gentle friend. He will be missed. Our deepest condolences to the family at this most difficult time. Violet, Craig, and Patricia.

Our sincere condolences in the passing of your dear father and grandfather. Although we did not know him, by all accounts, he was a remarkable man.

A great man indeed. The smile he had was huge and so genuine. I had the greatest pleasure in meeting Bill, and talking with him… such a loss. I’m sure he’s playing the piano wherever he is, and smiling at all who are missing him.

Mr. Tucker was always a gentleman, and will be missed. Thinking of you Janet and family as you cope with this huge loss, hang onto your fond memories of your Dad 😢

Bill was a fine gentleman. Always enjoyed talking with him. He certainly leaves the world a better place.

He was a very good man and one of the educators who had a profound impact on my life. I still remember him taking my grade 9 English class to the auditorium and he played piano for us. Royal Conservatory stuff. Tears of passion streamed down his face, and no one uttered a peep. We were all transfixed. It was an incredible and indelible experience. RIP, sir.

I didn't understand Shakespeare until Mr. Tucker brought it to life in a Grade 11 classroom in 1983. He challenged each of us to memorize a section from Macbeth and I can still recite the "Tomorrow and Tomorrow" soliloquy by heart. In 2011, I worked with a talented group of Grade 4 & 5 students and they performed a kid-friendly mini-version of "Macbeth" on the Avon stage in Stratford. There is a direct throughline from Mr. Tucker's class to those students and beyond. His passion for literature made me want to engage more with the books we were "made" to read. I would continue that passion to university where I received a degree in English. I am a teacher today because of educators like Mr. Tucker and I try to bring the same passion to my students during our read-alouds. Thank you sir. Rest in Peace.

Dear Bill and family, Please accept my condolences on the passing of your father. He was a true gentleman of many skills with an incredible abundance of wit and charm. My sister and I had the good fortune of being among his piano students and my brother one of his English students. He will be missed by many who were lucky enough to meet and know him. With sympathy, Terence