Roger John TUCKER – Obituary (June 23, 1938 – Feb 1, 2026)

After a life filled with love, art and joy, Roger John Tucker passed away peacefully on Sunday February 1st at the age of 87, his devoted wife and family at his bedside. He will be forever remembered with an abiding love by his daughter Abby, fiancé Dougall, grandchildren Zoe and Griffin, and by his son Ben, wife Kelly, grandchildren Ruby and Jasper. Roger was a loving, caring, devoted husband and father.

Born June 23, 1938 in Bristol, England. He was creative from an early age, drawing, writing poetry, and, in his teenage years, creating his cycling club magazine still in use today. He obtained a scholarship to the West of England School of Architecture (now part of Bristol University) in England, where he graduated in 1961. Meeting Sandra (nee Martin) was a highlight in Roger’s life; he had found a soul-mate, a perfect match and they married in Bristol in February 1962.

Following graduation, Roger joined Richard Sheppard Robson & Partners, architects in London, England, where they enjoyed life in London in the swinging ‘60s. In 1965 they emigrated to Toronto, Canada with their newborn son Benjamin. Their daughter Abigail was born in Toronto in 1967.

Throughout Roger’s long and varied career in architecture, he continued to paint ‘to satisfy his soul’ as he liked to say; he also enjoyed regular games of tennis where he was known for his ‘wicked’ backhand. In 1982 he began his career with the Lagardere Group (in Toronto) where he was VP Construction and Planning North America, routinely travelling throughout Europe and the US until his retirement in 2003. In 2004 Roger and Sandra moved to beautiful Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island to be closer to their son and daughter in Vancouver, and their own growing families. These were happy days travelling, creating new friendships, playing tennis, and, of course, painting.

In 2018 Roger was diagnosed with dementia but throughout these past 8 years he maintained his incredibly sharp wit, well-read conversation, clever wordplay, and gentle demeanor. His family greatly appreciates the warmth and support of friends during this past difficult year, and we would also like to thank the staff at ECU2 at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital for their excellent care and attention provided to Roger and his family.

For Sandra, after a loving marriage of 64 years, the sadness of his loss is only tempered by the legacy of his paintings: they surround her throughout their home. They are the essence of him. Roger’s enduring love of art, literature, design, music and humour is the bedrock on which our family has been built; it is a wonderful legacy, a constant inspiration.