Hale Tukey, 92, of Damariscotta, passed away peacefully at his home on the morning of Aug. 4. Born in Newcastle on May 15, 1921, he was the last surviving child of Robert K. and Florence (Burns) Tukey.
Hale grew up in Newcastle and attended Franklin Grammar School and was part of the voting student body who officially named the school. He went on to graduate from Lincoln Academy as part of the class of 1940. After graduation, he attended the Bishop Lee School for Dramatic Arts in Massachusetts.
Upon returning to Maine, he married June Merrill on Dec. 30, 1943, and the couple would enjoy 69 years together.
He had many jobs that kept him on the roads throughout the years; he delivered milk for Round Top Dairy, oil for Puckey Oil, and unfinished pine furniture all along the eastern seaboard for Merrill Transport. He also drove several emergency vehicles, both for the New Rochelle Ambulance and the Massasoit Fire Company in Damariscotta.
In the mid-60s, he started working as the supervisor of the hospital at the Maine State Prison in Thomaston. He loved not only the job there, but also the food. He retired from there in the 80s after 20 loyal years.
In his “retirement” years, he needed something to do, so he started a local taxi service. The business wasn’t exactly profitable, but it allowed him to spend time with people and get behind the wheel once again. He also achieved his lifelong dream of getting his pilot’s license. He loved the railroad, and eventually volunteered for the Maine Coast Railroad where he could be found on almost a daily basis.
He enjoyed both model railroads and model planes, and loved to take in the Blue Angels at the local Air Show in Brunswick. He and June loved to travel, and took many trips and cruises together. He also loved music, dancing, and spending time with friends, whether it was playing bridge, cookouts or a boat ride along the coast.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, June Tukey just last January; infant daughter, Diane; son, Mark; as well as siblings, Eleanor Tukey, Robert K. Tukey Jr., Charlene Tukey, Edward Tukey, James Tukey, Richard Tukey, John Tukey and Bobby Burns Tukey.
He is survived by sons, Robert K. Tukey II and wife Deidre of Hermon, and John M. Tukey of Damariscotta; grandchildren, Danielle Feltis and husband Tim, Quinn Tukey, and Jenna Tukey; great-grandchildren, Nikolas Poland, Kara-Lyn Poland, Khloe Poland, Rylen Schenk, and Augustus Tukey; and step-great-grandson, Andrew Feltis.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Fri., Aug. 9 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. He and June will be laid to rest together at the Hillside Cemetery in Damariscotta following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Miles & St. Andrew’s Home Health Hospice, c/o Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543 or the Robert W. Belknap Free Bed Fund, PO Box 7, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, Damariscotta.
