Peter A. Tufts of Rye, N.Y., passed away peacefully on January 1, 2021 after a brief struggle with cancer. He was 77.
He leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Sharron Roberts; his two loving children, Ashley Tufts Pajdak of Cheshire, Conn. and Pete Tufts of Charleston, S.C.; his brother, David Tufts of Santa Barbara, Calif.; and his former wife, Charlee Tufts of Greenwich, Conn. Mr. Tufts was an adoring grandfather and glowed when he saw his four grandchildren, Brayden, Malina, Lilla, and Peyton. He loved their embrace and learning of their young adventures.
Born August 12, 1943 in Coral Gables, Fla., he was the son of Florence (“Bunny”) and David Tufts, a Naval officer. He spent his childhood in Old Greenwich, Conn., where he attended Brunswick School before going on to Suffield Academy. In 1965, he graduated from Middlebury College. He joined Officers Candidate School in Newport with his college friend, Lindsay Webbe, and became a First Lieutenant in the Navy during the Vietnam War. After military service, he returned east and graduated from Boston University’s School of Business.
He had a twenty-year career at Chase Manhattan Bank, heading up their Municipal Bond Department. He worked for a hedge fund for 15 years before retiring.
Peter Tufts loved his Rocky Point Club in Old Greenwich, knew everyone there, served as Commodore, ran the race committees, and taught the kids the sport of sailboat racing that he had learned from his parents growing up.
An avid jogger, he ran in many New York City marathons, triathlons, and local races, which resulted in a vast collection of race T-shirts.
He possessed a remarkable memory and a curious mind, filled with facts and trivia that dazzled everyone, which he attributed to the ‘Common Knowledge’ he garnered from life.
“Peter was a true gentleman who had a quiet charm about him,” said his family. “He never uttered a harsh word. He cared and it showed. He had a welcoming sparkle in his eyes that invited one to say hello and to get to know him. He cast a wide net of love and endearing friendship.”
A celebration of his life will be held later this year at the First Congregational Church in Old Greenwich, Conn.
