Obituary: Terrance Wells Tucker
Terrance Wells Tucker, a long‑time resident of Old Orchard and a devoted family man, died on Oct. 6, 2026, at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough. He was 74 and was surrounded by his wife of 52 years, Julie, during his final days.
Tucker was born on Nov. 8, 1951, in Saco, the youngest son of Wyman and Doris. A shy infant who “slept in a shoebox,” he weighed less than three pounds at birth, a fact he would later joke about with friends and family. He grew up in Old Orchard, where he was a star in baseball, football and basketball, and spent many summer afternoons on the nearby beaches.
He attended the University of Maine at Fort Kent, where he met Julie. The couple married on Sept. 7, 1974, after Tucker had enlisted in the Army in 1973. He was stationed in Germany, and the pair spent their early married life traveling across Europe. A spinal injury sustained during his Army service left him with reduced mobility, yet he never let it diminish his sense of humor or his loyalty to loved ones.
Tucker was a true sports enthusiast. He followed the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and all of UMaine athletics. For several years he held UMaine hockey season tickets, routinely traveling north to Orono with his father‑in‑law, Jamie Waterhouse, and friends whenever the Black Bears played at home. He also gave back to his community by coaching youth teams, serving on sports boards and refereeing basketball games.
Beyond the court, Tucker was an avid fly fisherman. He tied many of his own flies and often embarked on fishing trips with high‑school friend Jamie Mullen and Bill Pinette. Their adventures took them to Moosehead Lake and even a bucket‑list excursion to Argentina.
Music was another passion. He could often be heard singing Bob Dylan and Harry Chapin, and was a regular member of Goodwins Mills Advent Christian Church, where he served on the board and as a deacon for many years.
Perhaps his greatest joy was being a grandpa. Tucker had five grandchildren—Juliet and Henry Rice, and Scarlett, Samson, and Agnes Tucker—who he loved to see, even when his health was declining.
He is survived by his wife Julie; daughter Erin and her husband Derek Rice of Kennebunk; son Christopher and his wife Greta of Yarmouth; the five grandchildren mentioned above; and numerous extended family members and friends. His parents and brothers Tom and Timothy predeceased him.
Tucker will be buried alongside his faithful dog, Scruffy, at Goodwins Mills Village Cemetery. Funeral services will be held at Goodwins Mills Advent Christian Church on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m., followed by a luncheon in the church mill. The family wishes to thank the caretakers of the Maine Veterans Home, especially a staff member named Tim who became a close friend to Tucker in his final years.
