WILBUR M. TUFTS
August 31, 1930 ~ October 22, 2023 (Age 93)

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Wilbur Milan Tufts. Born in Brighton, Massachusetts, on August 31, 1930, and grew up in Arlington, which he was very proud of. He and Fern raised their children in Leominster. Wilbur was a beacon of strength, wisdom, and love. He was a man of character who, in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "cultivated the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously."

Wilbur was a truly skilled Arborist. He knew everything needed to know about trees and shrubs. He was old school, not using bucket trucks but climbing up the tallest trees, hanging high above with just a work belt, chainsaw harness, and rope. Later in life, he owned Cresent Farms in Lunenburg with his wife and son. Even there you could find him outside cutting wood for the wood piles. He retired at the young age of 86 from being a groundskeeper to a private home in Concord. Then began the journey of lovingly taking care of his beloved wife Fern. He was also an army veteran and very proud of his service. He loved collecting baseball cards sorting and cataloging them. Wilbur had an amazing sense of humor and quick wit right to the very end. He will be sadly missed by his children, grandchildren, and all who knew him. A special thank you goes out to the Memory Care Unit at Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol where the staff loved him and treated him as family.

Wilbur is survived by his loving daughters, Tamara Woodard of Peterborough, and Gail Bissonnette and her husband Mark of Leominster; his son whom he was so proud of Michael Tufts, and his wife Denise who he thought of as another daughter of Lunenburg; his cherished grandchildren, Justin Bissonnette, Tasha Woodard, Ashley Landry, and David Tufts, and his six greatgrandchildren Hayleigh, Kassidie, Samuel, Ava, Cooper, and Braelynn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Helen Tufts; his beloved wife, Fern Tufts; and his son, Ross Tufts. Each of these individuals was blessed with the opportunity to love and learn from Wilbur, and his memory will live on through them.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery located at 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, Massachusetts, 01475. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

As we remember Wilbur Tufts, we encourage you to share your memories, stories, and photographs on his memorial page at https://my.gather.app/remember/Wilbur-Tufts. Let us celebrate his life by sharing the moments that made him special to each of us. His story continues in your memories and the stories you tell about him. Let his legacy live on in each of us who were fortunate enough to know him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Montachusett Veteran's Outreach, 268 Central Street, Gardner, MA 01440.

The Stone Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475, has been entrusted with his funeral arrangements.

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor and Melissa A. McQuaid, funeral directors