Kenn and the late Denver Tuckey recognized as 2021 recipients of the Alexis de Tocqueville Humanitarian Award

CARLISLE — United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County is pleased to announce Kenn and the late Denver Tuckey as the recipients of the 2021 Alexis de Tocqueville Humanitarian Award. 

Kenn and Denver, of the Tuckey Companies, were recognized at the United Way’s annual Humanitarian Award reception June 17, sponsored by Dickinson College and Martson Law Offices. Almost 100 people gathered at the Two Mile House to honor the Tuckeys’ philanthropic contributions to the greater Carlisle area.

Hubert Gilroy, Kenn Tuckey’s longtime friend, introduced him, and Kevin Curtis and Ellen Peters, co-chairs of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, presented him and Denver’s widow, Gayle, with the awards. 

The award was established in 2000 to acknowledge an individual or couple’s outstanding volunteer service to the community. The award is named for the Frenchman who traveled the United States in the early 1800s and who wrote the landmark book on American society and politics, “Democracy in America.” He highlighted the concept of Americans coming to the aid of their fellow residents.

The reception was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19 precautions. Recent winners are Don & Marjie Mowery in 2019, Kurt E. Suter in 2018; Mike Devlin in 2017; and Jim Washington in 2016. Paul L. Strickler was the first honoree in 2000.

DENVER TUCKEY

Denver Tuckey, who founded what is today known as Tuckey Mechanical Services, one of the three parts of the Tuckey Companies, passed away in October at age 87. He served his community for decades and was known by many in the area as “the million dollar man” for being the first United Way Capital Campaign chairperson to raise $1 million in a single campaign, in 1994. He financially contributed to and served in leadership capacities at various other community and nonprofit organizations, including the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County, Carlisle Family YMCA, Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce (chairman), Carlisle Summerfair, Capital Campaign Review Board (founding member), Leadership Carlisle (now known as Leadership Cumberland), Teen Challenge Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Program (chairman), Carlisle Area Industrial Development Corporation (CAIDC), Cumberland County Planning Commission, and the Rotary Club of Carlisle (past president). 

Many remember his 15 years of mentorship as a Little League and Teen League coach in the Newville area. He also served on the Board of Directors of Orrstown Bank. He served extensively in lay leadership positions at the Carlisle Wesleyan Church and, most recently, Bethany Evangelical Church in Carlisle. He taught Sunday School classes and led Bible studies at various churches he attended and among friends.

His background in construction and desire to help people took him to the mission field, focusing on building projects in Central America, South America, and Europe. 

He was born in New Cumberland and grew up in Enola. He married Gayle Deckman, his high school sweetheart, in 1952, and raised three sons (Kenneth; Denver Jr.; and Michael). His family grew to four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and their respective extended families.

KENN TUCKEY

Kenn’s professional career has largely centered on his leadership of several companies in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, property development, property management, and retail. These include Tuckey Mechanical Services Inc.; Tuckey Metal Fabricators Inc.; Tuckey Restoration Inc.; 3-T Investors LP; and Cumberland Ventures LLC. He also serves on the leadership teams of several outside organizations, including RW Associates, Fredrick Mutual Insurance Corp., and Nutrient Systems Inc.

His community service (past and present) includes both philanthropic endeavors and service in leadership positions at various civic, nonprofit, and community organizations. These include the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County (Tocqueville Society member), Carlisle Family YMCA, Bosler Memorial Library, Carlisle Christian Academy (chairman, school board), UPMC Carlisle (chairman, Board of Directors), Carlisle Wesleyan Church, Salvation Army-Carlisle, Teen Challenge National Board, Cumberland County Economic Development Corp., Cumberland County Industrial Development Authority (chairman), The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Economic and Business Advisory Council, the Pennsylvania State Workforce Investment Board, the South Central PA Workforce Investment Board, and Team Pennsylvania. 

He and his companies have supported local arts, media, and cultural enrichment organizations such as the Carlisle Theatre, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Cumberland Valley Christian Radio, and First Night Carlisle. Kenn supports local Christian education, principally Carlisle Christian Academy with additional support for Heritage Christian Academy (Mechanicsburg), The Christian School of Grace Baptist Church (Carlisle), West Shore Christian Academy (Shiremanstown), and Bloomsburg Christian School via scholarship programs.

3-T Investors has completed several signature redevelopment projects bettering communities across Cumberland County, including the Newville Towne Centre facility at 1 & 7 W Big Spring Ave. as well as the nationally recognized Centenary-Addison Complex, which sparked revitalization on High Street in downtown Carlisle, PA. 3-T’s focus, and Kenn’s passion, is on historic preservation and community revitalization projects.

Kenn resides in Carlisle with his wife, Marsha. Kenn’s sons, Matthew and Nathan, also reside in the Carlisle area with their families.