Obituary of Robert Tufaro
Robert A. Tufaro, affectionately known as Bob, passed away peacefully at his home in Warren, New Jersey, on Sunday, May 25, 2025, surrounded by his devoted family. He was 82 years old.
Born at home in Metuchen on August 17, 1942, to the late Angelo and Helen Tufaro, Bob grew up in Metuchen before eventually settling in Warren, where he spent more than 40 years building a life rooted in love, service, and quiet generosity. It was in Warren that he raised his family and became a cherished part of the community.
Bob proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1964 to 1966 and continued in the Army Reserves until 1970. Even while stationed in Virginia, his heart remained at home. Many weekends, he would hitchhike back to New Jersey just to spend time with his beloved wife, Yvonne—an early and enduring testament to the deep love that defined their 61-year marriage.
Bob earned an Associate’s Degree in Labor Law from Rutgers University and went on to dedicate more than 50 years of his life to the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825. Beginning as a heavy equipment operator, his steady work ethic, unwavering integrity, and natural leadership led him to become a respected Business Representative for Somerset and Union County and a member of the Somerset County Building Trades.
Humble to his core, Bob never sought recognition. He simply lived by example. Whether plowing neighbors’ driveways during snowstorms without being asked or showing up whenever someone needed help, Bob gave quietly and consistently. His kindness never came with fanfare—only with the genuine desire to do good.
Bob was a man of deep faith and a longtime parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church in Martinsville, where he was active and prayerful throughout his life. At home, he found joy in simple pleasures: restoring antique cars in his younger years, tending to his perfectly manicured lawn, and cultivating his garden. But nothing compared to the joy he found in the presence of his family.
He was the steady center of a large and loving family, always putting their needs before his own. Even in the face of a terminal diagnosis, his first concern remained Yvonne—making sure her car had a full tank of gas was one of the last things he worried about. That small, beautiful gesture speaks volumes about who he was.
Bob leaves behind his devoted wife of 61 years, Yvonne Tufaro; his children, Angelo Tufaro and his wife Nicole, Michelle Tufaro, and Michael Tufaro and his wife Barbara; his eight adoring grandchildren, Ashley Lynch (Caleb), Amanda Gresh (Joshua), Robert Tufaro, Antoinette Bercarich, Ava Bercarich, Sarah Pirro (Casey), Samantha Tufaro, and Michael James Tufaro; and his seven cherished great-grandchildren, Adam, Jameson, Melanie, Salvatore, Wyatt, Sadie, and Brody.
Bob shared a close bond with his siblings, who were very dear to his heart. He was predeceased by Patty, Richard, Angelo, and Joseph, and is lovingly remembered by his surviving siblings, Roger, Theresa, and John Anthony. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, extended family members, and loving friends.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, New Jersey. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Basking Ridge.
Robert A. Tufaro will be remembered not for titles or accolades, but for the kind of man he was—humble, generous, devoted, and deeply loved. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched through simple acts of love and unwavering presence.
