12TH JUNE 1931 – 10TH FEBRUARY 2024
Further to the sad news of the passing of John Tucker, below is a tribute to him and his achievements with the Lawn Tennis Association, Essex Tennis and The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust.
John served on the LTA Council from 1977-2001 representing Essex. He became an LTA Honorary Life Vice President in 2001. He was also involved with The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust since its inception in 1977 and became a Trustee and Vice-Chairman when the Trust became an independent charity in 2010.
John was the Chairman of the Eastern Region for many years, contributing to the development of the game at grass roots level throughout the country. His keenness and love for tennis, together with the support of his family, helped him to build his own indoor tennis centre, which was opened by the then Sports Minister, Ian McFarlane. John was at the forefront of indoor tennis development. He has been at the heart of the LTA and British tennis serving on many committees on the Development, Facilities and Technical side of the game. His knowledge and experience in these areas have been of great value to the LTA and to his county of Essex of which he was President from 2008-2014.
John was also Trustee and Vice-Chairman of the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust and was Chairman of the Golf Day that is run annually as the charity’s main fundraising event. It was through him that we were able to stage this at Wentworth for many years until it was sold. Many friends and colleagues of John’s still take part and are some of our greatest supporters. . It was John who persuaded Elaine Paige to become the Trust’s President and she has held that office since 2010. We are eternally grateful for the introductions John made and for his unstinting support of the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust. This year’s Golf Challenge being held on Thursday 13th June at the RAC Club in Epsom, will be in John’s memory.
John was almost larger than the game itself – he was known everywhere and his kindness, generosity and down to earth approach to everything he did was appreciated by so very many people involved in the game. He will be sorely missed. Always beside him was his wife Janet.
Thank you John.
John’s family has chosen the Trust as one of the beneficiaries for donations in his memory. If you would like to make a donation please click here
Photo shows John Tucker with Elaine Paige and Alan Bradley
