Thomas Eugene Wright

Thomas Eugene ‘Tucker’ Wright passed away peacefully Thursday, August 5, at the age of 85 after a long battle with heart failure. Born in Providence in 1936, he was a long-time resident of Warren, Rhode Island, a town and state of which he was passionately proud, and worked throughout his life in its service and the service of its residents.

An attorney, Tucker graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1958, and the University of Tulsa with a Juris Doctor in 1964. He was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 1965, and the Federal Bar, District of Rhode Island in 1969. Over a distinguished legal career of more than 55 years, he served as Assistant Attorney General, State of Rhode Island, Assistant United States Attorney, District of Rhode Island, and was a trusted counsellor for the community in real estate, trusts and estates, and various legal specialities. He served as Special Counsel for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation from 1985 to 1988. He was passionate about his work for the judiciary, serving as a probate judge in the Town of Warren, as a member of the Governor’s Judicial Selection Committee for the State of Rhode Island, and a long time Magistrate in the Rhode Island Family Court. Tucker was particularly proud of his instrumental involvement in Truancy Court in local high schools – which work affirmed his belief in the ability to rejuvenate and teach. He received a Citation from the Rhode Island Supreme Court recognising his 20 years of dedicated state service upon his retirement as a Magistrate in 2012.

Tucker was passionate about academics. A consummate intellectual, he could always be found with a book in hand. He was a Full Professor at Roger Williams University from 1975 until his retirement, writing numerous textbooks for use by his students. He remembered fondly the thousands of students’ lives he influenced throughout his academic career. For over a decade, he organized and ran a foreign study program at RWU, traveling throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and even to the former Soviet Union introducing students to new cultures, legal systems and legal experiences.

The GOP was an integral part of Tucker’s life, interwoven with his belief in the interplay of self help and community service. He served as Chairman of the Warren Republican Town Committee 1966-70, Republican State Central Committee Chairman 1971-75, and Founding President of the New England Republican Counsel in 1973. He served as a State of Rhode Island Presidential Elector in 1972. He served as Town Solicitor.

Over a long career in the United States Army, beginning in the ROTC and Fort Lee Virginia, during which he recalled his anger at the segregated south, he achieved the rank of Colonel in the US Army Reserves, 4th Brigade, 1st Battalion, 76th Division. Tucker was awarded the Legion of Merit. He relished marching in the Bristol Fourth of July Parade.

Civic service in Warren and to the state was vital to Tucker. He served on the URI Alumni Association, the Board of Directors of the George Hail Library in Warren, and the Rotary Club, Warren, for which he served as President. He was passionate about historic preservation, assisting in the restoration of the Warren Armory. Many will fondly remember Tucker’s involvement in local clambakes, even in his advancing years.

We will all remember Tucker’s love for travel, both for the purpose of education and enjoyment, a gift and value he imbued on his family and friends. Among his great loves of work, supporting his community and reading, and traveling with his family and close friends, dining was paramount. He particularly loved oysters, chowder, bluefish, and in France a jambon fromage baguette with a citron pressé. France was a particular passion, where he and his family spent some of their happiest moments of late restoring their eighteenth-century chateau in the Burgundy region. New Hampshire’s white mountains, and the town of Jackson where he had a home, was a place of constant repose, particularly for the life-long friendships he forged there.

Tucker is survived by his wife, Christine DeWall Wright, and his son, Thomas Eugene Wright, Jr.

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the burial will be private, and the family will organize a celebration of Tucker’s life in the coming months.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in his memory be made to the BIDMC Cardiovascular Research Fund in recognition of the excellent work of Dr. Pablo Quintero Pinzon and his team at Beth Israel Deaconess hospital that allowed Tucker many additional years of quality life and that took such exemplary and compassionate care of him. Donations may be made by check payable to “Beth Israel Lahey Health” with “in memory of Thomas Eugene Wright — BIDMC Cardiovascular Research Fund” in the memo line. Contributions can be mailed to Beth Israel Lahey Health, Office of Philanthropy, 330 Brookline Ave (OV), Boston, MA 02215. For online condolences, www.wilbur-romano.com