Edward R. "Ed" Tufts, age 91, husband of the late June (Hadley) Tufts of Salem died Thursday, April 1, 2010 in North Shore Medical Center, Salem with his family at his side.

Born on Federal Street in Salem, Ed was the son of the late Clarence and Elcena (Kiley) Tufts. From the age of eight years old, he was raised by the late Roger and Marion Nichols who had a great influence on his life. Mr. Tufts attended the Bowditch School, graduated from Salem High School in the Class of 1935 and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

A member of the class of 1940 at Norwich University, he served in the Army Air Corps (now the U.S. Air Force) 211th Coast Artillery Anti Air Craft First Corps of Cadets in the European-African Theater of Operation.

He is survived by two children, Dale E. Yale and her husband Glenn of Salem, and Dana E. Tufts and his wife Merry of Marblehead, five grandchildren and their spouses: Heather (Yale) Tripp and Andrew Tripp of South Hamilton, Kirsten (Yale) Austin and Scott Austin of Salem, Bradford Tufts and Laura (Woodward) Tufts of South Boston, Jillian (Tufts) Lewis and Stephen Lewis of Salem, and Roger Tufts of Marblehead, two great grandchildren: Joshua and Allie Tripp of South Hamilton, a sister in law, Barbara (Haymes) Tufts of Beverly, and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother Robert "Bob" Tufts of Beverly.

Ed was a graduate of the School of Banking at Rutgers University in 1953, and the International School of Banking, Semmering, Austria in 1963. He began his career in banking as a teller at the Second National Bank of Boston. In 1956, Mr. Tufts was named the Executive Secretary of the Massachusetts Bankers Association where he eventually became Executive Vice President, and CEO until 1976. Among his many accomplishments at Mass. Bankers, he established and managed a professional development School of Banking at Williams College and was instrumental in promoting the Higher Education Loan Program or HELP. He had the foresight, with others, to see the potential nationally for student loans thus, Mass Bankers created a corporation in 1956 known as the Massachusetts Higher Education Assistance Corporation for the purpose of marketing and processing student loans for college and university attendance. This corporation became the model nationally for the management of student loans. In an ironic and satisfying turn of events, he became Treasurer of Mass Higher Ed. in 1976 until his retirement in 1983.

A true philanthropist of his time and resources, Mr. Tufts served on the Board of Trustees of his beloved Salem Hospital from 1995 to 2006. He was a member of the Captain Bertram Society in recognition of his donations. He was a Lifetime member of the Partridge Society for his contributions to Norwich University, and an Alumni Association Director from 1976-1980. In 2000, he was awarded a "Hero of Philanthropy" trophy by the National Society of Fund Raising Executives. Countless hours of volunteering with a smile for the North Shore Medical Center Cancer Walk, the Salem Athenaeum, and Marblehead Youth Hockey enhanced his retirement.
No stranger to the sports arena, Tufts played football for the Witches, and was a goalie in the formative years of Salem High's hockey team. He continued to play football and hockey at Norwich and also skated with the Boston Olympics just prior to his military service. He coached the Pee Wees for Marblehead Youth Hockey from 1967 to 1991 and was a fixture behind the bench at rinks all over the North Shore and in St. Lambert, P.Q. He was inducted into the Friends of Marblehead Hockey Hall of Fame for his coaching contributions in 1997.
A longtime member of Tedesco Country Club, Ed and his wife, June were avid golfers. In 1982, in conjunction with the Salem Hospital Aid Association, he and June launched the Salem Hospital Golf Tournament which is now a significant annual fund raising and social event. In 1985, Mr. Tufts won low gross in the event by shooting a 71 in the rain.
An author and fire fighting historian of note, Ed wrote four books on the subject including a History of the Salem Fire Department, and Hundreds of Hunnemans, a historic account of the manufacture of Hunneman hand engines. He is the former President of the Firemark Circle of America and the Box 52 Association of Boston. His lectures and slide shows were a popular night at the Whiting Club and the Gerry 5 where he also held memberships.
Affectionately known as "Grumpy" to his beloved grandchildren, Ed also leaves a wonderful group of friends, some from as far back as high school. His wit, his stories, his steadfast love, and his joy of life will be sorely missed.

His memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. in the Ballroom of the Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Square, Salem, MA. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. in the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St. (corner of North St) Salem. Private internment services will be held at Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B102, Danvers, MA 01923, NSMC Foundation, 81 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970, or to the Friends of Marblehead Hockey, P.O. Box 1273, Marblehead, MA 01945. For online guest book or additional information please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.