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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-04-27, Page 1616 Lakeshore AdvancWednesday,2011 • Honouringthe past: Gunther 'Rickey transport Lynda HIllman-Repley Lakeshore Advance Saturday April 30 will mark the 40 year reunion of Guenther Tuckey 'Trans- port being sold to Laidlaw Motorways and truckers from far and near will gather in Exeter to commemorate a huge part of Exeter's progressive history. Guenther 'Tuckey was a trucking company that was in business from 1929 until 1971. It was June 29, 1929 and Benson W. Tuckey jumped behind the wheel of a little red chevy and drove from London to Exeter, marking the inauguration of Tuckey 'Transport. In 1929, B.W.'luckey, while living in London and believ- ing there was future in the trucking business started a route between Exe- ter and London. Rickey's first truck was a Chevy with a 6' x 9' flatbed. The truck wouldn't even carry all his household belongings and it took two trips to get all his furni- ture when he made the move to Exeter. This was the begin- ning of Tuckey Transport. Benson hitch hiked to Toronto to get his first oper- ating license. 'lackey 'Trans- port was one of the oldest fleets in Ontario and his license shows the number A-95, indicating there were 94 others issued before he got his in 1929. The business operated out of a small barn at the Tuckey residence on Simco Street. A second truck was added on April 1, 1931 and this launched the famous cream and green paint colours. In 1932 Benson moved the operation around the corner to Andrew Street and converted a barn into a warehouse and then another truck was added . This was the area's first tractor and semi trailer and it Dublin Mercantile's 11th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SALE! This Thursday to Sunday April 28th to May 1st ALL PRINTS, MIRRORS, CLOCKS AND WALL DECORS - 30% OFF 20% OFF ALL REGULARLY PRICED NEW MERCHANDISE! 40 - 70% OFF HUNDREDS OF ITEMS WITH AMAZING IN-STORE SAVINGS! DON'T MISS ONE OF OUR BEST SALES OF THE YEAR! Meats, Draws and always a good time! 59 Mill Street, Dublin, ON 519-345-9922 www,dubllnmercantile.ca dublinmerc@ezllnk.ca 1924 International owned by Earl Guenther and 1967 MACK owned by Ben Tuckey measured a whopping 15' in length. A new office and warehouse located on Main Street was opened in 1936 which later became Tuckey Beverages, bottling Pepsi-Cola products for the area. During this time many small trucking operations were purchased by 'Tuckey to gain their operating license. By 1952, they had grown to nine units. That same year, Tuckey bought out the trucking business of Earl Guenther Transport of Dashwood that operated 21 units. With the new purchase the business name changed to Guenther Tuckey 'Transports. Guenther Guenther Transport based in Dashwood had a similar start to Tuckey. In 1919 Earl Guenther bought a Ford truck to carry mail and pas- sengers on the Exeter and (rand Bend stage line. In 1922 he also purchased an International stake truck to operate a transport service to London. Ile began a regular route to Toronto in 1924, a nine hour drive at that time from Dashwood. Ile kept building his business and then began bussing students in 1944. That became a bus company with 21 busses and 17 routes. On October 1, 1952 he sold the trucking business to Ben 'Tuckey. Earl contin- ued to operate his bus com- pany until 1968 when he sold to Charterways. Liberal Family Pack: • Family Care for elderly or seriously ill Take off time from work to care for loved ones Help with costs of Careglving • Early Childhood Learning and Care More high-quality, affordable child care spaces • Green Renovation Tax Credit Permanent Tax Credit of up to $13,500 to help families with the costs of energy-saving home renovations • Learning Passport Help families pay for college and university • Stronger Public Pensions Enhance the Canada Pension Plan Make It easier to save for retire Qent More help for lowdncome Dave Detbw/Spectal to Lakeshore Adana Amalgamated And then became growth. With contracts from the big- ger customers, Sifto Salt and Dominion Road Machinery of Goderich, the firm began to grow steadily. On January 1, 1953 a new office and parking yard was estab- lished in Goderich. Many new units were purchased to keep up to demand. 1954 saw many changes as the headquarters were moved to a new location at nigh - way 4 and 83 in the north end of Exeter. Benson stopped driving in 1950, but still ran the show and could be seen every morning as he helped load the trucks. As Guenther 'I'ucky con- tinued to grow a new garage was opened in 1957. Meat packaging and hide compa- nies such as Burns and J.M. Schneider in Kitchener, Crabtree Meats and Ottawa Beef in Ottawa, Barrett Ilides in Barrie, Swift Meats, Lavigne Bros. and Canada Packers in Toronto were all weekly deliveries. Other food grade users were Campbell Soup, Perth Soap Company, Libbys in Chatham and Hicks Pickles in Scarborough would take two or three loads In the summer pickling season. Various hospitals through- out Ontario used salt in their boilers. By 1968 Guenther Tuckey trucks covered a distance of over two million miles on their runs, primarily in the area of west Toronto. This firm did runs to Michigan, Quebec, and Ohio. They had seven specialized tank and dump trailers dedicated to Sifto hauls. They could haul anything and had many cus- tomers, small mon and pop stores to large companies. 'Ibis was long before Purola- ter and Fed Ex. Guenther 'Tuckey could handle all deliveries. On June 21, 1969 Benson W. 'Tuckey marked 40 years in business with a surprise celebration put on by employees. 'Ihe event began with a parade of Tuckey trucks down Exeter's main street. In 1969, they had a fleet of 103 units and 80 staff. In 1971 Tuckey sold the business to Laidlaw Motorways of Hamilton. The Exeter yard closed in 1990. On April 30th, there will be a celebration for the 40 year reunion since the sale of the Guenther 'Tuckey to Laidlaw. Benson W. Tuckey was 82 years old when he died in 1988. Ben Tuckey was Exe- ter's first Mayor in 1951, when Exeter was incorpo- rated and became eligible for a major. Earl R. Guen- ther - 1896-1989 in his 94th year. If you go: Exeter Royal Canadian Legion Begins at 9 a.m. with food and coffee. Bar opens at 11 a.m. There will be an antique truck show of approximately 40 vehicles Call Dave at 519-808-5044 for details With files from Dave Dcttnte'r and Chris Hall