LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Lafayette man killed in Barcelona attack


The Tuckers at a cafe in Barcelona shortly before the terrorist attack Photo courtesy Heidi Nunes-Tucker

The widow of the Lafayette father killed during the Barcelona terrorist attack Aug. 17 has not only positive memories of her late husband but of her home city as well.

Jared Tucker and his wife, Heidi Nunes-Tucker, were enjoying a delayed honeymoon in Europe, celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary. The couple were having drinks along La Rambla, a popular tourist thoroughfare in Barcelona, and as Jared went into a restaurant, a van barreled past Heidi, zigzagging into a crowd of people, killing 13. The U. S. State Department confirmed that Jared was killed in the attack.

Heidi teaches at the El Sobrante Christian School. "While we are thankful for Heidi's safety, we are hurting for her," said school principal Jeannine Manguiat. "We love her. She is a fabulous teacher. We want to do anything we can for their families during this time and we will continue to pray for all those affected."

"We love them so much," said a shaken Roxanne Smolko of the Roundup Saloon. "They were longtime customers, and such wonderful people. Our deepest condolences to the family."

Heidi has lived in Lafayette for 14 years, near the Lafayette Reservoir. She spoke by telephone from Barcelona. "We loved the Roundup, and we love Lafayette," she said. "Lafayette is incredibly dear to both of our hearts." Heidi said she met Jared at the Lafayette Art and Wine Festival, they moved on to Petar's that evening and ended the night at the Roundup, dancing till closing.

"What I want people to know is how wonderful Jared was," Heidi said. "He would make friends with anybody. He loved people and people loved him. He would give you the shirt off his back, the beer from his hand or the saw from his tool box."

Jared worked with his father, Dan, at a Martinez pool construction business that operated for years out of the old Rheem firehouse building in Moraga. "Jared died a happy person," said his father. "The last year of his life with Heidi was the happiest year of his life."

The Tucker family has set up a GoFundMe page. Donations will go directly to Heidi and the three children to pay for their education and living expenses, as well as to assist with funeral costs.