Robert Charles “Bob” Tuck
August 2, 1936 – January 8, 2014
When Bob Tuck passed away on Wednesday, January 8, a bright light went out in Barrie. Appreciated for his meticulous commercial building practices, Bob—with his company, Turn Key Development, has been a visionary behind land development and building solutions for medical facilities, residential condos, and commercial activities for the past 30 years in Barrie.
Two philosophies anchored every decision Bob Tuck made: 1. it's best to be a small part of something great then the whole part of something weak and 2. always leave something on the table for the next guy.
Appreciated for his sense of humour, his skill in a woodworking shop, and his enthusiasm at the business end of a fishing pole, Bob leaves behind a committed family and scores of friends.
He is survived by his wife and best friend, Michelle, and his children, Alan (Lee-Anne), Julie Paige (Dan) and Karen Rattelade (Ben) and their mother, Sheila.
Missing their grandpa are Ryan, Sarah, Samantha, Krystal, Andrew, Melissa and Piers.
And loved by their great-grandpa are Ethan and Payton.
Bob is also survived by his sisters, Mabel and Dorothy. He was predeceased by his sister, Margaret and his brothers, Ernie, Ralph and Albert.
Bob's working life began at the age 15 in the lumber retail business, with Beaver Lumber in Belleville (his birthplace), North Bay, Wawa, and Peterborough. He came to Barrie in 1969 to manage Cash & Carry Plywood and Lumber and in 1971 opened Cardinal Cash & Carry, his own lumber retail store. Two years later Cardinal was bought out by George Davies and Stan Cohen, then premier home builders in Barrie. But Bob ended up with Cardinal again until 1983 when he sold to United Lumber.
Bob went into the commercial building business, his first building being 331 Bayfield St. He went on to build 11 and 85 Ferris Lane, developing them as tenant shareholder buildings, a unique concept at the time. Today, several legal and medical buildings have the Bob Tuck touch to them as well as a number of custom homes and residential condos. These projects embraced solid relationships in the community, which turned into lasting friendships.
Bob's greatest joys included time with Michelle first on their boat, and then on the golf courses in Barrie and Palm Desert, California. He was a committed woodworker who met weekly with Bob Carter and Bob Watson, the three Bobs turning out well loved children's rocking toys. And he loved to fish and he loved his fishing buddies who spanned five decades of tall tales!
Bob is resting at Steckley Gooderham Funeral Home, 201 Minet's Point Road, Barrie. Visitation is 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm Monday January 13th, 2014. Funeral service begins Tuesday at 11 am at First Christian Reformed Church, 33 Shirley Ave, Barrie.
The family would like to thank Dr. Kelly Emerson for her exceptional care during a challenging time, as well as the RVH nurses on Respiratory floor, and many others.
Memorial gifts in Bob's name can be directed to: Hospice Simcoe or Gilda's Club. Gifts can be directed through Steckley Gooderham.
Condolences may be forward through www.steckleygooderham.com