Obituary of Albert R. Tucker

Riverbank: Albert R. Tucker, a longtime executive with Colgate Palmolive International who later settled in Bolton on the eastern banks of the Schroon River near his beloved Sherman Lake, passed away peacefully, Saturday evening, August 4, 2012 at his home at Riverbank. He was 96 years old. Born on May 1, 1916, Mr. Tucker attended Brooklyn Poly and New York University, and graduated from Harvard University’s executive MBA program. He worked for Colgate Palmolive for 44 years, starting in 1937 and retiring as vice president of Colgate Palmolive International in 1981. In 1937, he married the love of his life, Joan Bayley, after wooing her during summers at Sherman Lake. He first visited the Adirondack lake, then called Daisy Lake, in 1924, arriving by two horse flatbed with his family and his dog, Teddy. His father had responded to an ad in the Jersey Journal. Later in life, Mr. Tucker became a historian of Sherman Lake and Riverbank, delighting in telling stories from the summers of his youth. With Colgate, Mr. Tucker spent a year in Cuba to set up an analytical lab, and was responsible for a 1940’s demonstration featured in Life Magazine in which a single box of Super Suds was used to fill a large trailer with suds. During World War II, his chemical and manufacturing skills were utilized to support the war effort, thus making him part of the “Greatest Generation.” His duties with Colgate included plant manager of Colgate Kansas City, U.S. director of manufacturing of household products, and eventually Vice President of Colgate International. As vice president, he visited Colgate subsidiaries in 52 countries on four continents, all of them several times. Mr. Tucker was a generous supporter and served on the boards of directors of both Green Mountain College and the Hudson Headwaters Health Network, and was an Emeritus board member of both institutions. He also supported many Methodist churches during his life, most recently Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Bolton Landing. Mr. Tucker was predeceased by his wife, Joan. He is survived by his son, Edward, and Edward’s wife, Gail, and daughter, Nancy; three grandsons, David and his wife, Cynthia; Richard and his wife, April; and Kenneth and his wife, Emily. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren: Samuel, Katharine, Nathan, Ian, Caroline, Elise and Katelyn. In his final years, Mr. Tucker, a unique and independent man, loved spending time on Sherman Lake, and taking boat rides around the lake, recalling memories of long-ago and simpler times. In addition to his family, Mr. Tucker is survived by many, many friends, too numerous to mention here, who connected with his passion for life, genuinely admired his generosity and giving spirit, and appreciated his zest for life and his love of people. Friends may call on Albert’s family from 5-8 pm Thursday, August 9th at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg. Services to celebrate his life will be conducted 2 pm, Friday at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 19 Stewart Ave., Bolton Landing with the Rev. Henry Frueh, Pastor officiating. Private interment services will be in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Hudson Headwaters Health Network or to Green Mountain College, Poultney, VT. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book and condolences.