Gersam Pastor Tuckler
March 30, 1938 – October 8, 2020
On Thursday, October, 8, 2020, Gersam Pastor Tuckler, loving husband and father of one daughter, passed away at the age of 82. Gersam was born on March 30, 1938 in Managua, Nicaragua to Gersan (Pucho) and Concepción (Dona Conchita).
Gersam, also known as TuTu by his granddaughers and Nayito or Nayo by close family members & friends, is survived by his adoring wife, Antonia (Tonsi); daughter, Vanessa (Vansi) Tuckler D’Ambrosia and husband, Steven; granddaughters, Ashley Vanessa and Olivia Nicole; sister Enriqueta (Nena) Quiñónez; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends who will miss him dearly. He was predeceased by his brother, Dr. Edgar Victor Tuckler.
Gersam completed his primary education in Nicaragua and graduated from Instituto Pedagógico de La Salle. He also received his Bachelor Degree in Science from El Ministerio de Educación Pública de Nicaragua. In 1965, he moved to New York City and shortly became a United States citizen. He graduated from Fiorello H. La Guardia Community College with an Associate Degree in Business Administration.
Gersam served in the United States Army, volunteered at the New York City Auxiliary Police Deparment, where he also played in the Police Band and worked at Bulova Watch Company until retirerment. In 2011, he and his beautiful wife moved to Richmond, Virginia to be closer to Vanessa and her family.
Gersam had a passion for music, writing & crafts. His greatest gift was playing the piano. He started playing since he was very young and spent most of his free time playing the piano: at home; at parties; wherever he could, he would play with or without reading music. In Nicaragua, he worked for Radio Managua, where he played the piano for a singing contest show. He would interpret musical notes by ear for the contestants to sing and became known as the The Man with the Enchanted Hands.
Gersam also played the harmonica; accordion; and marimba, a Nicaraguan instrument. He wrote many volumes of his own music and songs and had a vast collection of LPs and CDs. He published several books: “Poemas Y Canciones,” a book of personal poems and songs; “Culpable Por Asociación” and “Los Pollos,” two short stories; and “Poesías, Elelgía Y Narración,” a book of his father’s songs and poems. He was an extremely creative man who enjoyed painting, creating artisinal crafts and fixing things, thus earning the nickname Tinker TuTu.
Gersam was warm and welcoming, always had a big smile on his face, and loved to help people. Most important for Gersam was his family. Family always came first. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for them. He taught them the importance of family, education and doing the right thing. He wanted them to have the opportunities he didn’t have and pushed them to be the best they could be. He will be missed dearly, but his family takes comfort that he is resting in peace at home in Heaven with his little brother and parents.
You can learn more about Gersam’s life in an article recently written by Ashley Vanessa D’Ambrosia, one of his granddaughters. Click here to read the article.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 16th, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church: 9605 Gayton Road, Richmond, Virginia. Viewing from 12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m.; Mass at 12:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required [Click here to pre-register].
El Jueves 8 de Octubre del 2020, Gersam Pastor Tuckler, esposo y padre de una hija, falleció a la edad de 82 años. Gersam nació el 30 de Marzo de 1938 en Managua, Nicaragua. Sus padres, Gersan (Pucho) y Concepción (Doña Conchita).
A Gersam, también conocido como TuTu por sus nietas y Nayito o Nayo por sus familiares cercanos y amigos, le sobreviven su adorada esposa Antonia (Tonsi) y su hija Vanessa (Vansi) Tuckler D’Ambrosia y esposo Steven; sus nietas Ashley Vanessa y Olivia Nicole; su hermana Enriqueta (Nena) Quiñónez y muchos sobrinos, sobrinas, otros miembros del la familia y amigos que le extrañarán muchísimo. Su hermano, el Dr. Edgar Victor Tuckler, falleció recientemente antes que el.
Gersam completó su educación primaria y secundaria en Nicaragua, y se graduó del Instituto Pedagógico de La Salle y recibió su Bachillerato en Ciencias y Letras por el Ministerio de Educación Pública en Nicaragua. En 1965 se mudó a la Ciudad de Nueva York y pronto se convirtió en ciudadano de los Estados Unidos. Se graduó de Fiorello H. La Guardia Community College con el título de Asociado en Administración de Empresas.
Gersam sirvió al Ejército de los Estados Unidos, ofreció sus servicios como Auxiliar del Departamento de la Policía donde también tocó en la Banda Musical de la Policía. Trabajó para Bulova Watch Company hasta el día de su retiro. En el 2011, el y su bella esposa se trasladaron a Richmond, Virginia para estar cerca de su hija Vanessa y su familia.
Gersam tenía pasión por la música, la escritura y la artesanía. Su mayor regalo fue tocar el piano. Empezó a tocar desde pequeño y pasaba la mayor parte de su tiempo libre tocando el piano: en casa; en las fiestas; siempre que podía tocar, tocaba con o sin leer música. En su juventud trabajaba para Radio Managua en un programa de concurso de canto. Le llamaban “EL HOMBRE DE LAS MANOS BRUJAS” porque por oído interpretaba al piano las canciones de los concursantes que llegaban sin sus notas musicales.
Gersam tambien tocaba armónica; acordeón; y marimba, un instrumento musical Nicaraguense. Compuso muchos volúmenes de su propia música y canciones. Tenía una vasta colección de LP’s y CD’s. Publicó varios libros: “Poemas y Canciones,” poesías y canciones personales; dos cuentos, “Culpable por Asociación” y “Los Pollos,” y “Poesías, Elegía y Narración,” un libro de poesía y canciones de su padre. Era un hombre muy creativo que disfrutó pintando, creando manualudades artesanales y arreglando cosas, lo que le valió el título de Tinker TuTu.
Gersam era cálido y acogedor, siempre con una gran sonrisa en su rostro, y amaba ayudar a la gente. Lo más importante para el era su familia a la que siempre puso primero. No había nada que el no hiciera por ellos. Les enseñó la importancia de la familia, la educación y el hacer lo correcto. El quería que todos tuvieran las oportunidades que el no tuvo y empujaba a ser lo mejor que se podía. Se le extrañará mucho pero su familia tiene la tranquilidad de que está descansando en su casa del cielo junto a su pequeño hermano y sus padres.
Puede obtener más información sobre la vida de Gersam en un artículo escrito recientemente por Ashley Vanessa D’Ambrosia, una de sus nietas. Haga clic aquí para leer el artículo.
Un servicio funeral se llevará a cabo el Viernes 16 de Octubre del 2020 en la St. Mary’s Catholic Church: 9605 Gayton Road, Richmond, Virginia. Visualización de 12:00 pm a 12:30 p.m.; Misa a las 12:30 p.m. Se requiere preinscripción en [Enlace aquí para preinscripción].
My Padrino (Godfather) was truly an awesome man that I looked up and greatly admired. I’ll never forget the nature walks we would take, especially over the summers, and how curious he was about everything – sand color, rock formations, the diversity of plants in different locations. He was also full of life stories and always had an experience to share. Oh – and the musical creativity!! Loved to hear him play the piano. He inspired me to think outside the box and always wonder on how natural and man made creations came to being. It was sad to learn of his passing, and sad that I didn’t get to see him again since his visit to CO; but I know he’s in a better and happier place living with God now!!
Carlos…thank you for the beautiful comment. He was a special man. He loved you dearly.