Vincent ( Vince ) "Bubby" Aubrey Tufts

Vincent Tufts Eulogy by Jamie Munroe on July 9, 2020 They say the measure of a man is in the legacy he leaves. If this is true, Vince Tufts was a giant. Nearly every person who ever met him left with a positive, lasting impression. He truly made the world a better place with his personality and friendship. The one trait Vince had that I’ve admired the most over the years was the ease with which he formed relationships. Once he was your friend, you knew it. From his camping friends Patsy and Tuggard, through all the people like me who came into his family, everyone was welcomed and loved from the moment they arrived. Vince was a family man, through and through. From the moment I met him, he was never happier than he was when surrounded by his family. Large get-togethers in the summertime have provided my family with some of our most cherished memories. Watching him interact with his children and grandchildren helped give a blueprint for my own parenting style. That’s not to say he was a stickler for discipline and rules. One time, I remember strictly forbidding my oldest daughter from digging a hole to China behind his deck. Vince’s response? He heard me say no, then promptly helped her find a little shovel! Vince and Freida provided a loving space for anyone who needed it. From children having a rough day to grandchildren and great grandchildren going through the struggles of growing up, no one set foot in their home without feeling the weight of the world lifting. Whether it was in his chosen profession as an auto body repairman or taking a Sunday drive, Vince loved cars. He knew more about cars than most, and loved to talk shop. He loved his work so much in fact, that a few years back, when he was involved in a pretty serious collision with a plow truck, he called everyone from work to let them know he was okay. Yeah, he didn’t even take a day off for a collision with a snowplow. I’d say that was quite dedicated! Speaking of shop, one of Vince’s favourite hobbies was working with wood. From small projects to building and renovating entire houses, he had the most patience and always seemed at ease when working with his hands. In fact, he built the house he and Freida spent almost their entire adult lives in block by block, board by board. He carried every cinderblock in that foundation up the hill himself. As much as Vince enjoyed being at home or work, he also loved to get away. He was as comfortable on long Sunday drive or camping with family and friends as he was flying halfway around the world to visit Europe or the Caribbean. He once told me he wanted to experience as much as possible while he could, and I’m certain he accomplished that. One thing we never saw eye to eye on was hockey. Not love of the sport or the history, we both shared that. It was that pesky Leafs thing. Every time we visited, Vince was quick to bring up his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. Well, for the next couple of years, in honour of a great man, I think we should all put our personal biases on hold and say “Go Leafs Go!”