Sidney Tuck was born on 6th December 1925 at the start of a bad and snowy winter. A man of wide experience who in his book, entitled ‘my time, my way’ written only two years ago said, ‘you don’t get to 95 without meeting many interesting people’. He developed a keen interest in genealogy and having traced his family back to 1600 found that his ancestors were blessed with good genes leading to long life. He of course has continued that quality.
Sidney adored his parents, but it was a hard upbringing with no lighting or heating. He went to bed by candlelight clutching a hot water bottle. He made some good friends at school one of which was the actor, Kenneth Williams, who was always funny and entertaining even at that age. He worked hard school
and eventually won a scholarship to London Metropolitan University.
He started his working career as a tool maker, studying part time. Initially, he wanted to be a musician playing the violin and at one stage he thought of becoming an architect. Unfortunately, he was made redundant early on in his tool making career and his job was given to someone returning from WW2. He was in deep shock at this event, especially as he was to get married to his wife to be, Maisie Boyce, the following day. However, the incident gave him the resolve to work for himself at the earliest opportunity.
His father worked at the printers alongside Highbury Football ground, so it was no surprise that he became a lifelong supporter of Arsenal. He learned to play the violin and subsequently the French horn. His love of music has been passed on to his family and his granddaughter, living in Kansas, continues to play the French horn. However, he confessed that he seldom played the violin after Maisie died. However, he did take up golf at the ripe old age of 69. Something which he thoroughly enjoyed, and it kept him fit.
He was always fascinated by how things worked especially watches & clocks. When WW2 came along, he signed up, as did his friends, but he was never called up as they regarded his engineering skills essential in the manufacture of aircraft parts. During that time, he became a self-taught horologist, and he built up his reputation to become the ‘go-to’ watch repairer. He eventually bought a jewellery business and opened a shop in Stevenage in 1958 and ended up being the only horologist in Stevenage with a licence to sell and repair Rolex watches. The bank manager who gave him the loan to purchase the business was a freemason and helped him with connections and bigger and better clients. Sadly in 1960 the quartz
watch was invented which took away much of the skill to deal with clockwork mechanisms. He continued thanks to loyal Rolex customers, such as Jack Cohen, the founder of Tesco and Sir Cliff Richard. He also saw the market for ear piecing and built up a side-line in tandem with selling earrings.
He was invited to join the Masons in 1956 and never looked back. He rose through the ranks and ultimately, in 1999, was awarded the Grand rank of Past Grand Sword Bearer. He was exalted in 1966 and, as I’m sure you are aware, went on to become Grand Superintendent from 1995 to 2000. He was also a member of nearly all possible side orders. In addition to Freemasonry, he was a member of Rotary, a Livery Company and he received the freedom of the City of London.
In 1980 Sidney and Maisie both developed cancer. Sidney was lucky and survived but Maisie didn’t. He lost the love of his life. Sidney and Maisie had often discussed what should happen should one of them be taken early in life. So when the serendipitous opportunity to meet Chrysoulla occurred and the
resultant second marriage took place, he knew that was what Maisie would want. Sidney married Chrysoulla in 1983, she herself a lady Freemason, but sadly she developed Dementia in 2016 and died
only last year.
Sidney always had a smile and a kind word to say to everyone. When installed as WM in our Lodges we were taught that rising to eminence by merit we will live respected and die regretted. I cannot think of a more appropriate and deserving description for the life of Sidney EE Tuck.