SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – James Eric Tucker of Springfield, Vt., passed away peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 16, 2023, after a brief bout with pneumonia. He was born on May 11, 1945, in Ludlow, Vt., during a snowstorm in which the doctor had to snowshoe out to deliver him. He was raised on a hill farm in Ludlow as one of six children of Norman and Esther Tucker. At 10 years old, he raised and trained a team of oxen calves named Amos and Andy, who helped with the farm and woods work. He joined his brothers and cousins in many merry adventures, you should hear the stories! He attended the Hemingway one-room schoolhouse, and graduated from Black River High School in Ludlow in 1963. While in high school, he enlisted and served in the Vermont National Guard. At 20, at his cousin’s wedding, he met the love of his life, Margaret (Peggy) Bosworth, and married her a year later. They celebrated 57 years of “pulling together” this past summer.
Jim and Peggy raised three daughters Katie, Erica, and Heather, in a house they built themselves in Springfield, Vt. Jim loved his animals, and always had a couple of dogs as well as horses and donkeys. He was often spotted giving wagon rides to neighborhood children and family members.
Jim and Peggy were a self-employed team for most of their lives, “with a darn fool for a boss.” Jim was a jack-of-all-trades, including buying and selling equipment, logging and selling firewood, mowing for the State of Vermont, haying, and snowplowing. In his spare time, he built or rebuilt houses tiny and regular sized for his daughters and others. Jim was a vibrant member of the Springfield community, serving on the school board for eight years, in the First Congregational Church, and at the Springfield Tech Center where he helped found a logging program. He was an avid reader, he loved the great outdoors, he adored his children and grandchildren (and four great-grandchildren), and he took many young people under his wing by teaching them to drive and thrive.
Jim survived a major head injury while logging nearly five years ago, at which time he finally retired at age 74, and he enjoyed his remaining years with his dogs and his family. He was predeceased by his parents and three siblings Norman, Joanne, and Gene Tucker. He is survived by his wife Peggy; his three daughters Katie (Tucker) and Don Brown of Walpole, N.H., Erica Tucker of Springfield, Vt., and Heather (Tucker) and David Cannistraci of Windsor, Vt.; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his siblings Jerry Tucker (and Debbie), Bill Tucker (and Marcey), and sister-in-law Sandy Tucker; as well as beloved extended family.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Jan. 13, from 3-5 p.m., at the First Congregational Church in Springfield, Vt. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Springfield Humane Society or the charity of your choice.
Davis Memorial Chapel is assisting with the arrangements.