Damon Tucker Jr.

In 1927, at the age of 5, Damon was sent to Staten Island to live with his father. A few years later, his siblings followed. Damon graduated from P.S. 18 and Curtis High School. In 1975, he enrolled in Staten Island Community College and earned 30 credits towards an Associates Degree.

At the age of 7, Damon started attending Sunday School at Shiloh AME Zion Church where Rev. O.G. Goodwin was the Pastor and Mr. Alfred Spellman was the Sunday School superintendent. Sunday Day School was held in the basement, and in the winter, it was heated by a large iron pot belly wood and coal stove. The sanctuary upstairs was heated by a wooden coal furnace. Every Sunday at 11am, Mr. Elliot rang the bell in the tower of Shiloh to let the neighborhood know that service was about to begin. A youth group called The Christian Endeavors, held discussions about the Bible under the leadership of Rev. Goodwin. Damon was a loyal and active member of Shiloh, and became a member of the Trustee Board in 1962. He served the church in various roles throughout the years including, Chairman of the Trustee Board (3 years), Financial Secretary (2 years) and Treasurer (5 years), a Sunday School teacher, member of the Senior Choir and various other church committees. His final role was Chairman of the Scholarship committee.

Damon was a New York City Bus Driver from 1947 to 1957, and a NYC Correction Officer from 1957 to 1977. When he retired from NYC corrections in 1977, he became an Insurance Agent and Mutual Fund Representative with John Hancock Insurance Company until his retirement in 1988.

Damon was a charter member of FIPOCOS, Inc. which was comprised of African American men who were New York City Fireman, Police Officers and Correction Officers. He served as President of FIPOCOS from 1965 to 1969 and held the Chairman position for 20 years. FIPOCOS was instrumental in bringing the Ebony Fashion Show to Staten Island. Mrs. Eunice Johnson (wife of the late John H. Johnson, Publisher of Ebony Magazine) was delighted to receive a letter from the organization and in 1968 the Ebony Fashion Show came to Staten Island. The Ebony Fashion Show was a fundraising event designed to raise money for churches and hospitals on Staten Island. In 1980, FIPOCOS disbanded and without a sponsor, Staten Island could no longer host the fashion show. At a Trustee Board meeting, Damon suggested that Shiloh form a scholarship fund to assist the youth of the church and sponsor the Ebony Fashion Show as a means to raise the money for the scholarship fund. With the blessing of Rev. Richardson, Shiloh established the “Shiloh AME Zion Scholarship Fund” and brought the Ebony Fashion Show back to Staten Island. By 1989, due to economic hardship, Shiloh was forced to drop their sponsorship of the fashion show. However, because of Damon’s efforts, scholarships were given to several youth members in the church.

Damon was a member of Silver Lake Lodge #59 F&AM Prince Hall since 1945. He held many offices including Secretary, Treasurer and was elected Worshipful Master for two years. In 1966, he was honored as the Outstanding Master Mason for Brooklyn and Staten Island. In 1967, he was awarded the Outstanding Worshipful Master of the State of New York.

A devoted family man, Damon was married to the late Shirley I. Argumper for 50 years and 2 days. He is survived by his daughter, Shirleen A. Pervall and son-in law, Christopher Pervall; his son, Michael Damon Tucker, R.N. and daughter-in-law, Lorraina Tucker; three grandchildren, Nicole Tucker-Pollard, Kierstan Tucker and Damien Pervall; seven great grandchildren, Olivia and Ian Pervall, Imani, Xaria and Naima Pollard, Jordin McCullough and Josiah Carroll-Tucker; his companion Shirley Nesbitt; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. His four siblings are deceased, older sister Elizabeth Etheridge; Dora Jones; Marjorie Reed and younger brother Raymond.