By Sekou Dauda Bangura, New Jersey.
At Mount Zion United African Church, 1453 N 52nd Street, Philadelphia, where friends and family gathered on Saturday, September 15, 2012, William Bawin Tucker, who passed away on September 1, 2012, was remembered as an outstanding Sierra Leonean who served his family, his community and his country with distinction. Speaker after speaker attested to his good character, his stellar qualities, his simplicity and humility. He was not just a father to many, but he was a true leader – very selfless, highly committed and dedicated. “We are gathered here today not to mourn but rather to celebrate the life of a great man,” says Bishop Billy Simbo in his declaration of purpose and invocation.
William Bawin Tucker, commonly known as Pa Tucker, touched the hearts of many people in Philadelphia where he spent a greater part of his adult life. He impacted the lives of countless Sierra Leoneans, African Americans and Americans. Little wonder there were so many people at his Home Going. A considerable number traveled from all across the United States to pay their last respect and to bid farewell to a real mentor, a father and a leader. Bawin Tucker, son of the late William Bawin Tucker, described his late father as a family man who was regarded as father by many. “I grew up in a house with many brothers and sisters. The word cousin never existed,” he said. A loving and caring husband, friendly and very helpful, he was an avid tennis player who inspired me to play tennis, Bawin Tucker revealed while reflecting on the life of his late father, who was a sports enthusiast. “Even though tennis was his favorite, he loved soccer, basketball and football.”
Dr. Bowa G. Tucker, in his tribute, reflected on the positive impact his late uncle had on him. He reminisced on his uncle’s brilliance, his intellect, and his retentive memory; how he can quote from the works of Shakespeare and the world’s great philosophers: Socrates, Aristotle, Plato and many more. Bowa recited, to a very rapt audience, some of his uncle’s popular quotes, including one by Cassius in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: “There is a tide in the affairs of men...Men are sometimes masters of their fate.” Bowa Tucker described his late uncle as “a reservoir of wisdom and knowledge” from which he drank deeply.
Standing in memory of the late William Bawin Tucker, Reverend David Caulker touched on the selfless nature of the late man, driving home the point that our country needs a lot of Bawin Tucker – a man that was sincere, honest and hardworking.” Taking cognizant of the fact that the passing away of Pa Tucker is a painful reminder of our own mortality, and realizing that Pa Tucker’s passing away has undoubtedly left a big vacuum in the family, Reverend Caulker urged all those gathered to strive hard to emulate the good example of the late Pa Tucker.
Speaking on behalf of the Albert Academy Alumni Association, before singing the school song (a fitting farewell for an old academician), Mr. Abdul Crowther, a former president of the Albert Academy Alumni Association Delaware Valley Chapter, said the late William Bawin Tucker was a true leader, who played a pivotal role in the formation of the Albert Academy Alumni Association. “When things are about to get out of control during our meetings, Pa Tucker will step in to ensure that sanity prevails.” A founding member, education secretary and chief adviser, Pa Tucker was an epitome of the school’s motto – rather to be than to seem (esse quam videri). He remained an active member up to the time of his passing away. While comforting the family, Mr. Crowther extended, on behalf of the Albert Academy Alumni Association USA Inc., heartfelt sympathy. “Our hearts go out to you all at this time of grief,” he said.
Aside from the glowing tributes, the home going of William Bawin Tucker was characterized by singing and dancing by the Mount Zion Praise and Worship Team. There was a crescendo of excitement throughout the over two-hour service. After a very riveting performance by Augusta Kamara (a special tribute), Reverend Samuel Konneh offered prayers for the family, while Reverend Samuel Sinnah offered prayers for friends and associates. Rev. Gloria Tucker did the final scripture reading before the Eulogy by Bishop Simbo. This was immediately followed by the closing hymn “It is well with my soul.” Mr. Joseph Sesay, a son- in- law of the late Pa Tucker gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the family. He expressed his profound thanks and deep appreciation for the phenomenal outpouring of support. The service was immediately followed by a reception at the African Cultural Center, between 50th and Springfield Avenue, Philadelphia.
Born on September 10, 1933 at Petefu, a small town in Bumpeh Chiefdom, Moyamba District, William Bawin Tucker spent his early years in Rotifunk, a multi-ethnic town straddling the northern and southern regions of Sierra Leone. After his elementary education in Moyamba, he went on to Koyeima, and then proceeded to one of Sierra Leone’s most prestigious institutions of learning – the Albert Academy. Upon his graduation from the Albert Academy, he joined the Sierra Leone Civil Service. He worked for the Postal Service in Bo, and was later transferred to Bonthe, where he found the love of his life, Yema. They were united in holy matrimony in the summer of 1963.
Fired by a strong determination to improve his socio-economic wellbeing, he left Sierra Leone for the United States in 1968. With his thirst for knowledge, he immediately enrolled at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. He proceeded to Temple University in Philadelphia, where he obtained his Masters of Arts in Social Studies. The young and youthful Bawin Tucker briefly worked as a teacher before landing a job with Belmont Comprehensive Center where he worked for many years until his retirement. A community leader, he was active in several organizations, and he was held in very high esteem by many. He served two terms as president of the influential Tegloma Association, Philadelphia Chapter, and he was Board Chairman of Mt. Zion United African Church (Church of the United Brethren in Christ –UBC) where he was a respected leader, championing the transformation and development of the Church.
William Bawin Tucker, who peacefully passed away at his Philadelphia home, with his family by his side, was laid to rest in Bonthe Sherbro, his home town. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 50 years, Mrs. Yema C. Tucker, and his children, Bawin Tucker and wife Myrose, Hawa Sesay and husband Joseph, Emmanuel Tucker and Yema Tucker. Pa Tucker’s children were not limited to his biological children. He raised many such as Dr. Bowa Tucker, Lillian Tucker, Bishop Barnett and wife Ambassador Marie Barnett, Betty Lawrence, Anthony Pessima, Mary Swaray and many others. Grandchildren: Nemahun, Baki, Yema Tucker, Samuel and Susan Sesay; Brother: Gideon Tucker; Sisters: Boi, Katie, Annie, Marian, Nancy and Lillian; several nephews and nieces; and many dear friends and relatives. He leaves behind to mourn a large extended family that includes members of Tegloma and Mount Zion United African Church in Philadelphia.
Comments