By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NORTH COLLEGE HILL - Joseph A. Tucker, former North College Hill city councilman and auditor, died of duodenal cancer Wednesday at home. The North College Hill resident was 68.

He was born in 1934 to Joseph A. and France Steele Tucker of Cincinnati and grew up in Fairview Heights. He graduated from Woodward High School in 1952 and attended evening classes at the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University.

In 1957 he married Miriam F. McCosham of Norwood.

While still in high school, Mr. Tucker began working as a co-op student with Union Central Life Insurance Co. He stayed with the company for 45 years, achieving various management positions in accounting. From 1985 to 1998 he was assistant treasurer and retired in 1998.

He served as a council member for North College Hill from 1988 to 1993 and was a member of the North College Hill Community Improvement Corp. from 1988 to 1991.

He was elected city auditor from 1994-97. During his tenure, the city became debt-free for the first time in 16 years.

Mr. Tucker also served as clerk of council for North College Hill.

"He's going to be greatly missed in the community," said his wife, Miriam. "He was a wonderful husband and father. He loved children."

She said Mr. Tucker helped with the Cub and Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement and other youth activities with his children.

"He was just a wonderful person," said his daughter, Nancy S. Caruthers of Ormond Beach, Fla. "He enjoyed talking with people and was grateful and glad people kept in contact with him while he was ill."

In addition to his wife of 45 years and his daughter, survivors include three sons, Michael A. of St. Louis, Mo, David J. of North College Hill and Kevin C. of Madeira; three sisters, Gloria Sattler of Montgomery, Nancy M. Tucker of College Hill and Frances Hood Rogers of Apple Valley, Calif.; and eight grandchildren.

Services have been held.

Memorials: Make a Wish Foundation, 4770 Duke Drive, Suite 190, Cincinnati 45240; American Cancer Society, 11117 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati 45242; or Vitas Hospice, 11500 North Lake Blvd., Suite 400, Cincinnati 45249.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com