Cliff Buchan
News Editor

It may have been fitting that Tom Tuccitto was born on Nov. 11 — Veteran’s Day. It’s a day that honors service and sacrifice and Tuccitto’s life was filled with both.

Tuccitto, a decorated Army veteran from the Vietnam War and a community servant in Scandia for many years, died from complications of a stroke on Sunday, April 8, 2007. He was 58.

A resident of Scandia for the past 28 years, Tuccitto’s life to the east of Forest Lake was punctuated with community service. He was active for years in youth athletic programs as a coach in football, hockey, baseball and softball.

One of his passions was hockey, said his wife Pat. She said her husband was a good coach who always tried to bring out the best in youth.

“He always encouraged kids not to quit,” she said.

Tuccitto also logged 20 years on the New Scandia Fire & Rescue Department. He retired in 2003.

Peter Nora of Scandia came on the fire department the same year as Tuccitto and spent many hours with his fellow firefighter. He credited Tuccitto for playing a major role in technology improvements the department was making.

But it was Tuccitto’s fun-loving demeanor and personality that made him special, Nora said.

“He was always energetic and could light up a room,” Nora said of his friend. “He kept our meetings very light.”

Nora said Tuccitto was the type of guy who was never shy or had trouble meeting people.

After he retired from the department in 2003, his presence was missed, Nora said.

“He had a way of talking to people,” Nora said. “We missed him a lot when he left.”

Early days

Tuccitto grew up on St. Paul’s East Side, attended Johnson High School and graduated in 1966.

He never went to college but he did go to Vietnam after being drafted by the Army in 1968. He served one tour in Vietnam in 1969 and it was an eventful one.

By the time his tour had ended, Tuccitto had been wounded twice in action, earning Purple Hearts. He was also decorated for gallantry with two Silver Stars and for heroism with a Bronze Star.

According to military records, Tuccitto, a sergeant and squad leader, was decorated in the summer of 1969 after his company came in contact with a battalion size enemy force. During the battle, Tuccitto used his machine gun to supply cover fire to help rescue a wounded soldier and recover the soldier’s machine gun, records said.

During the battle, while under heavy fire, Tuccitto personally knocked out four enemy bunkers.

Pat Tuccitto said her husband rarely talked about his Vietnam days; his medals and souvenirs from Vietnam were neatly stored in a truck.

One was his Army canteen with a bullet hole.

“That canteen may have saved his life,” his wife said.

Tuccitto served with the Army’s Ninth Infantry Division, Company A, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry. He was stationed south of Dong Tam.

Home life

Tuccitto and Pat Erickson married on July 18, 1970.

“We met when he came home from Vietnam,” she said. She, too, was a Johnson graduate but two years after her husband.

Tom Tuccitto was just 16 when he landed his first job with 3M on the East Side of St. Paul, working in the tape division. He never left.

He returned to 3M after his military stint and had 40 years to his credit. He worked in a number of 3M divisions during his career.

The Tuccittos moved to Forest Lake in 1975 and made Scandia their home in 1979.

He was a life member of VFW Post 4210 in Forest Lake and had held membership in American Legion Post 225 in Forest Lake.

Funeral details

A funeral service for Thomas A. Tuccitto was Wednesday, April 11 at Elim Lutheran Church in Scandia with interment at Elim Cemetery.

He is survived by wife, Pat; children, Geno, Joe (Keri), Angie (Tom) Carney, Matt (Leah); grandchildren, Anthony and Lauren; step grandchildren, Morgan, Tommy and Alex Carney; brother, Mike (Dawn); sisters, Theresa (Greg) Krey and Debi Tuccitto; nieces and nephews, other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Betty Tuccitto.

Memorials are preferred to the Scandia Fire Department in Tom Tuccitto’s name.

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