“Tom’s program was known statewide as a program that respected class, integrity, and honesty…He is an icon in Winthrop, spoken of with a reverence throughout Maine.”
Tom Tucker ’62 graduated with a B.S. in Education from the Lyndon Teacher’s College in 1962. He has built his career in education in the Maine school system. Tom worked as a physical education and health teacher at the high school level for 21 years, as COOP Director for 10 years, and as a special education job coach for three. He continues to work in special education.
While a Lyndon student, Tom was a stand out basketball player, earning Most Valuable Player honors during the 1961-1962 season. He also played baseball from 1962-1963. As a student, he recruited several basketball players to Lyndon despite the fact that it directly impacted his playing time. This unselfish act, says a former teammate, speaks to the kind of man Tom Tucker is.
Although Tom’s athleticism is noteworthy, his work as a coach and teacher over the past four decades is what is truly remarkable. When arriving at Winthrop High School, it is said that Tom was quickly popular with his students and athletes because he knew how to lead them. He took a firm, fair, and consistent approach to his teaching and coaching and saw the importance of teaching life skills.
Tom coached varsity football at the high school for 36 years. As a new coach, it only took him four years to build a winning team in his conference. He set goals for his team each and every year. Following a 9-0 season, Tom celebrated the many aspects of success by saying, “The winning assets were friendship, leisure, will, spirit, new understanding, and now memories…the goal was worth it!” More undefeated seasons, state championships, and accolades like #1 Defensive Team in the State, followed.
Tom also coached basketball at a variety of levels, and continued to coach JV basketball following his retirement. It is said that the one thing Tom always told his teams was that sportsmanship came first. Because of his dedication, love of the game, hard work, and camaraderie, his teams were always respected.
Encouraging young people to achieve and build personal confidence comes naturally to Tom. Many of his students have gone on to college and have excelled in academics and athletics. His students and players enjoy coming back to share their successes with him and openly thank him for helping them along the way. One former player said, “I’ll never forget the kindness and respect that you extended…I have carried with me through life the learned respect and ideology of giving all hard workers a chance…Thank you for extending respect and understanding to my friends and teaching us all to be better people.”
Tom and his wife, Janice ’61, reside in Winthrop, Maine.
