Nicholas “Nick” Tufaro Sr., 89, of Middletown, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, to the late Concetta and Pasquale Tufaro.

As a teenager at Boys High School, Nick boxed for the Police Athletic League with a near-perfect record. After he graduated, he began working in various places including the garment center, a commercial milk route, and as a school bus driver. He owned a sandwich shop, luncheonette, and most notably worked in real estate for many years. 

Nick met the love of his life, Joan, when they were 14 years old. They were married 5 years later. He and his wife raised their family in Brooklyn and later moved to Middletown, NJ in 1995, where they have resided since. They were married for over 70 years.

Nicholas was a very accomplished cook, always whipping up a gourmet meal for his family and friends. He loved drawing and painting. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening, going to New York Mets games, and traveling with his wife and friends. Nick loved animals, especially horses and dogs. He enjoyed making everyone around him laugh with a good joke and a funny story. Most of all, he loved spending time with family and attending his grandchildren’s school events.

He is very recently predeceased by his wife and “Sweetie,” Joan Tufaro.

Nicholas is survived by his children, Nicholas Tufaro Jr. (Amanda), Steve Tufaro (Yolanda), and Linda DiMeo (Maurice), and eight grandchildren: Steven Jr. (Greila), Michael, John, Thomas (Jessica), Matthew, Nicole, Amanda, and Victoria.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 24 from 3pm – 7pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road. A Funeral Home Service will be offered on Wednesday, March 25 at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Fair View Cemetery in Red Bank.

In lieu of traditional remembrances, Nick’s family asks with gratitude that donations in his memory be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).