Driver’s Examiner fondly remembered by family, ‘nervous teen generation’

To his family, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

But for an entire generation of Barrie teenagers looking forward to hitting the road as a newly licensed driver, the name Norman Tucker will forever be synonymous with a hard-nosed driving examiner.

He will be sorely missed by all, having passed away surrounded by family, including his wife of over 60 years, Sue, on May 27. He was 85 years old.

“Norm will be fondly remembered as a practical joker, hedge trimmer extraordinaire, outdoorsman, hockey player and fan, and stock car enthusiast. Norm will be remembered by many as the infamous driver’s examiner in Barrie, Ontario, known as ‘Tucker’ to generations of edgy teenagers,” his online obituary reads.

Graduated licensing legislation had just been passed when Kelly Gallaugher was about to take her first driving test, which would make her and her friends the last group to receive what was known as the 365 ( one-year learner’s permit) and the last one that passed. straight to a full G license – meaning the pressure was on.

A student at Innisdale Secondary School at the time, Gallaugher recalls not only having to deal with the now-long wait time to get a test, but also the possibility of getting the “dreaded Tucker” for testing.

Not only was he known as a notoriously difficult tester, rumors were even worse for the “kids” trying to get their license, she recalled.

“Everybody knew that Tucker failed everybody on the first try. It was almost a given,” she said. “I booked the test as soon as I could. Sure enough, I took Tucker in for the test.”

Even her father, who had brought her to the test, knew about the rumors about Tucker and was nervous for her.

The afternoon of the road test, she recalls, was beautiful and sunny.

“We got in the truck and I was so nervous. Waiting to be called, my stomach was in knots,” Gallaugher said. “Finally it’s my turn. Into the car enters the man, the myth, the legend. Tucker!”

Throughout the test, she recalls the instructions as “mortal” but direct. With only two blocks left before turning back to the MTO building, she was feeling pretty decent about her chances of passing…until she stopped at a red light. After a pedestrian gave her the go-ahead, she made her turn around and straightened her tires, at which point the pedestrian stepped off the curb behind her.

She recalls Tucker asking her if she saw the pedestrian, to which she said yes and that the person waved.

That’s when Tucker told him that he failed the exam.

For her second attempt, which was scheduled for the last day of the year, Gallaugher said she knew she had to pass or she would be stuck in the new phased licensing legislation.

While waiting in the parking lot for her tester to get into her father’s station wagon, Gallaugher saw two testers get out together. Sure enough, Tucker opened the car door and got in.

“I went through the test, he barked instructions, I followed them,” she said.

After returning to the MTO offices, he assumed he had failed a second time.

“I’m handing the paperwork to the lady, expecting to take another test, when she tells me to go get my picture taken,” Gallaugher said. “I ask what for and she tells me ‘for the license.’

“I thought I didn’t make it,” she added with a laugh. “My friends at school were so worried about getting Tucker (that) they booked their driving tests in other cities, even as far away as Midland and Newmarket, to avoid him. “

Now, all these years later, Gallaugher looks back fondly on the man who finally trusted her enough on the road to give her a driver’s license.

“I feel it was strict but fair. It was actually a point of bragging rights to get your license from the infamous Tucker,” she said.

Although Barrie native Michael Gennings didn’t pass his own driving test with Tucker, the man had a reputation among local teenagers, including many of Gennings’ close friends at the time.

“I haven’t thought about Mr. Tucker in years and years,” he admitted, adding that he came across the obituary posted in a local Facebook group. “Before I read anything, I knew who he was.

“I liked how they mentioned he was a driving instructor in Barrie,” added Gennings. “That made me chuckle and validated my own memories of him having this reputation as a tough-as-nails examiner.”

In high school, when someone was preparing to take their road test, there was always the question of whether they knew who their examiner would be — and many fingers were crossed that it wouldn’t be Tucker, Gennings recalled.

“Back then … you’d get your 365 and then after a short time later you could get your G license. It was a big deal to be able to get your license at 16,” he said. “People were coming back and they’d say, “Ah, I didn’t pass… I had Tucker”… and they’d have to go back. and do the second… or third time.

“As a teenager, you never took responsibility because maybe (you) just weren’t ready to drive yet. There were these high school legends about why Mr. Tucker was a tough-as-nails examiner.”

Looking back, though, Gennings says he’s thankful Tucker wouldn’t just pass drivers who weren’t prepared to be on the road alone.

“I think his approach helped keep city roads and Ontario roads a little bit safer because it kept people from driving who weren’t ready to hit the road yet,” Gennings said. “If he gave you your license, you would have proven to him that you are a responsible driver and a safe driver.

“That would certainly be one of his legacies… he made sure you were ready to get behind the wheel. That is a huge responsibility for a young man to be given.”

In accordance with Tucker’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A small family celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Gray Bruce Hospice – Chapman House, Owen Sound Animal Shelter or a charity of your choice in his honor would be greatly appreciated.