Former J.C. Martin Golf Course superintendent, high school coach Jack Tufts dies
Editor's note: This story has been updated with information on funeral arrangements.
John “Jack” Tufts was a 2018 inductee for the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame's Metropolitan Erie Chapter.
The Erie Times-News interviewed the 22-year superintendent of J.C. Martin Golf Course, who retired from that role the year before, shortly before his enshrinement.
Tufts, who died Thursday at age 69, confessed during his interview that he dreaded the impending ceremony at the Zem Zem Shrine Club.
Not because of his induction, but the speech he'd have to give immediately after it.
Whatever reluctance Tufts experienced ahead of his speech five years ago wasn't apparent in his mostly self-written obituary.
Obituary:John "Jack" Tufts, 1953-2023
One only needed to read its opening sentence, which paraphrased his favorite line:
“This life is ovaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.”
Tufts' obit went on to thank various people he met via the baseball programs at Mercyhurst Prep and Cathedral Prep. The Academy graduate, who starred for the Lions and then played in the Glenwood League, watched the Lakers win 489 games during a nine-season tenure as their coach.
2018 Hall class: Erie Metro Chapter of PA Hall inducts 11
From coach to colleague and friend
Tufts also assisted Cathedral Prep's basketball team during the mid-2000s.
However, golf is the sport he's likely to be remembered for the most.
Tufts was hired as J.C. Martin's superintendent in 1995. The nine-hole public course, whose par-five first hole borders the Erie Zoo and Glenwood Park properties, is the only course within the City of Erie.
J.C. Martin's junior golf membership tripled over the first four years of Tufts' tenure. He mentored many of those same youth throughout his two-plus decades in and out of its clubhouse.
Tufts, in addition to Mercyhurst's baseball team, also coached its boys golf team in the early 1990s.
Among those he helped to lower their rounds was Dan Perfetto, a 1992 graduate. He returned to work for his alma mater, and currently serves as the Lakers' athletic director and girls basketball coach.
Perfetto became friends with Tufts over the last 30 years. He even talked Tufts into working as the clock operator for Mercyhurst's basketball games during recent seasons.
“He was an unbelievable coach when I played for him,” Perfetto said. “Then, when I got into coaching, he also was the guy I'd call to get advice. There were nights (after Mercyhurst's girls basketball games) I'd call him and say, 'What did you see, coach? What are your thoughts?' He always pushed you to be the best you could be and now, I see that in myself as I'm coaching.
“He had a big impact in my life. I'm going to miss him a lot.”
From 2018: Tufts steps aside as J.C. Martin superintendent
Greg Hoffman was another Laker who called Tufts his golf coach. Later, though, the current Cleveland resident also called him boss.
Hoffman, now a salesman for Kinetico Water Systems, formerly worked for J.C. Martin during Tufts' tenure as superintendent.
While the Mercyhurst graduate couldn't be reached for direct comment, he did post thoughts about Tufts' death on his Facebook page.
“Being the manager of J.C. Martin was not (his) job. It was his life,” Hoffman wrote in his post. “We were all family. We looked out for each other. To this day, some of the best friends in my life I met there.
“I am forever in debt to Jack Tufts. I enjoyed all the memories we shared. You will be greatly missed.”
Tufts also dedicated a major portion of his obit to his frequent dawn-to-dusk days at J.C. Martin.
“My days (there) gave me the most fun I could have imagined,” Tufts said. “I loved being around those kids and watching their love of the game grow. Every year, players would purchase memberships, and it was amazing how they'd progress and grow. My girl junior golfers were a treasure to me, and we made sure the boys treated them with the respect they were entitled to.
“The parents used to joke about how 'we are the best babysitters in Erie.' Thank you for trusting me with your children. I was (just) supposed to work there.”
'Still have conversations'
Perfetto said he last spoke with Tufts a week before his death.
While it was their in-person meeting, Perfetto said it won't be their last in spirit.
“Now, Jack's looking down on me,” he said. “I'll still have conversations with him, but they'll just be a little different.”
Calling hours will be Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, West Ridge, 3801 W. 26th St. A service also will take place there Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 5711 West Lake Road.
Memorials can be made to the J.C. Martin Junior Golf Program. Checks should be sent in Tufts' name to the City of Erie, 626 State St., Room 504, Erie, PA 16501.
Staff writer Tom Reisenweber contributed to this article.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNcopper.
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This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Jack Tufts: Erie Hall of Famer, former J.C. Martin Golf manager dies
