March 22, 2013
Gucker, Alexander L. Jr.
Alexander Lowery Gucker, Jr., a resident of Groton, Massachusetts, died Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at his niece’s home in Dedham. He was 73. Alex was born September 21, 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Alexander Lowery and Ellen Hewson (Douglas) Gucker. He was a graduate of The Loomis School in Connecticut and an alumnus of of Haverford College. Alex was an electrical and mechanical engineer who worked for many years at Digital Equipment Corporation, designing parts for everything from submarines to satellites, to testing equipment for products. He was talented in making anything out of random parts lying around, and could always make improvements to existing tools and equipment. Alex loved classical music, Kabeyun, reading, and adding pertinent trivia to any conversation. He was a loyal friend who would always lend a helping hand, and a loving family man who was deeply loved in return. Alex was the husband of the late Alice (Monma) Gucker and the brother of the late William Hewson Gucker. He is survived by his sister, Jean Douglas McKinney of Dedham; his nieces and nephews, William D. McKinney, Jean E. Downey, and Anna F. McKinney, all of Dedham, J. Alexander McKinney of Canton, and Laurence E. McKinney of Newton; his great nieces and great nephews, Gabrielle and Ross Alexander Condry, and Corinne and Mark Downey, Jr., all of Dedham, Charlie, Caira and Colin Alexander McKinney of Canton, and Aiya and Macy Douglas McKinney of Newton; and his stepson, Craig Kenney of Belmont, California. Visiting hours will be held Friday, March 22, 2013 from 6 to 9 PM at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, Dedham. In lieu of flowers donations in Alex’s memory to your local hospice would be appreciated.
Comments(3)
Alex was a dear friend for many years to our family. We are grateful to have known him and will never forget his generous caring nature and his sense of humor.I will remember all he shared with us and thinking of him will bring a smile.
You fought a good fight and I pray you are at peace.
I just found out about Alex’s passing through a friend. I’m sorry I could not pay my condolences in a more timely fashion.
I worked with Alex at DEC in the 1980’s in Marlboro. On at least one day per week we’d get takeout for pizzas. We’d all bring something to sit on and eat at a turnoff on the side of the road. This happened all year round except for when the turnoff was not plowed from snow.
Alex was the sharpest wit that I know. He’s brilliant, smart and never missed a chance for good humor. He was “The Library Of Congress” when it came to limericks.
I will miss him and am honored to have had the privilege of working with him. He has influenced my life for the better.
Alex was one of the top five most influential people in my life. I knew him since 1968. He worked with my Dad at Bolt, Beranek and Newman then. He took me to see my first Grand Prix motor race at Watkins Glen, New York in 1971. I used to spend weekends with him when he lived in Billrica, Ma. He called the place “The Dark Smithies of Mordor”. He had a machine shop in the basement where I first learned to weld and use a lathe. There was a Ford V8 on a bench there which he used to start and run with open heads. He had a home made Hi-Fi system with a massive speaker he called the great horny horn. I bought a Triumph TR3 when I was young after having ridden with him in his TR3 for many miles. I can’t express how much he effected the course of my life. It’s possible that only my father was more influential. He was like a second Dad. I was introduced to J. R. R. Tolkien by Alex. It took me 20 years to finally read The Lord Of the Rings. When I finished it, he was the first person that I called to announce the event. His comment was: that he most regretted, after reading it, that he would never be able to read it for the first time again. We had spoken often in recent years and I went to visit him in Groton a few years ago. He was quite regular in emailing me at solstice and equinox times. Then I no longer got the messages.