Walter J. Tuck

Born Walter Joseph Tuck on March 14th, 1923 in Newark, NJ to Walter M. Tuck and Helen Phillips. He was the older brother of Harold Tuck (born 1927). Walt and his brother had a rough time in Jersey, growing up poor during the Great Depression. He and his extended family all shared a small run-down apartment in the heart of Newark with limited heating and other basics. When he was 11yrs old he also lost his mother Helen due to complications from Radium poisoning. He dropped out of school early and worked odd jobs to support his family. In October, 1942 at the age of 19, Walt enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and headed to Texas for basic training and gunnery school. He then trained with B-24 bombers in San Diego. Upon completion, he deployed to North Africa, Sicily, and finally Southern Italy. As nose gunner, he flew 50 combat missions, including operations over Germany, Normandy, Italy, and Romania. In 1944 he suffered wounds from German flak, and was awarded The Purple Heart. Back in the USA, he and some of his crew mates were then sent to Biloxi, Mississippi to finish out their tour. Being from Jersey, Walt and his buddies couldn't stand Mississippi, and begged the base commander to send them anywhere else...even back to combat! Their commander told them to calm down, and arranged for them to be transferred to Buckley Field in Colorado. This was a true blessing for Walt. In Colorado, Walt's friends set him up on a blind date. It was a USO dance on West Colfax, with a young nurse cadet named Mary Key. It was pretty much ""love at first sight"". Mary later wrote ""The minute I saw him, I knew he would be my husband..."" She was right. In March 1946 (on Walt's birthday) they were married at St. Antoninus Catholic Church in Newark, New Jersey. Shortly thereafter the new couple moved back to Denver. Walt started working as a union plumber apprentice, while Mary looked after their newborn son Tom. Together they endured and overcame many difficult circumstances. It was a humble, yet happy life. Mary worked part-time (nursing and dental office jobs), while Walt attained Master Plumber, eventually working many large constructions projects around town. In 1962 Mary gave birth to another boy, Matthew (Walt almost lost both his wife and newborn son at that time, due to serious complications). Mary had many health problems and surgeries over the years, and Walt was always there to support her. In 1964 Walt and Mary were able to buy their first home on Polaris Place in Thornton. It was a beautiful brick ranch that Walt himself helped build. Walt and Mary enjoyed their many hobbies in that home. Walt was a self-taught man in electronics, computers, woodworking, and stained glass. People were always bringing stuff over to the house for him to repair (especially stereos and computers). He also enjoyed riding dirt bikes with Matt and his neighborhood friends. Walt loved fishing, and after retiring, had his own small boat. His favorite spot was Boyd Lake. Walt Tuck had a unique personality, and perspective on life. He was quit-witted, and used humor to get through any situation. He was a survivor in the truest sense! He sometimes showed a hard exterior, but was a big softy inside. His heart was broken when he lost his beloved Mary in September 2013. Walt was in home hospice care the last 8 months of his life, and was the undisputed favorite of the hospice staff. On the afternoon of November 29th, he passed quickly and comfortably. Walt is once again united with his beloved Mary. He is survived by his 2 sons (Tom and Matt), 7 grandchildren (Stephanie, Chris, Nathan, Adriana, Jim, Paul, and Jacob), as well as 7 great-grandchildren!