Fred M. Tuffile

Dr. Fred Michael Tuffile, 81, entered eternal rest on October 20, 2022, peacefully, after a rapid battle with invasive lung cancer.  Fred was a dedicated husband, father of three, and a devout Catholic. He also was the former chief executive officer of Polaroid Graphics Imaging and a senior lecturer at Bentley University.  Eldest son of Helen T. and Fred C. Tuffile of Bronx, NY., he attended St. Bonaventure and the University of Detroit Mercy where he received his B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering in 1963.  While studying at the University of Detroit he met the love of his life, Constance “Conni” Marie Tuffile.  They were married in 1963.    Fred and Conni went on to joyfully spend 59 beautiful years together while starting, nurturing, and strengthening a wonderful family.

Fred earned his M.S degree in 1965 in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.  He continued his study of chemistry, receiving his doctorate (Ph. D) from Seton Hall University in New Jersey in 1971.  Conni and Fred moved to Lakeville, MA when Fred began a career with Polaroid Corporation in New Bedford, MA.  Fred moved through various leadership roles with Polaroid including President and CEO of Sage Technologies in San Diego, CA which became Polaroid Graphics Imaging.

Conni and Fred welcomed three sons together.  Residing on Long Pond in Lakeville, MA they enjoyed many years of boating, sailing, waterskiing, kayaking, canoeing, and windsurfing.  Years later, grandchildren spent  days on the lake with him , learning their watersports,  Hiking in the woods was always a fun, cool weather activity for Fred.  He is affectionately remembered by his grandchildren for  either planned or spontaneous  “Papa Adventures”.  Feeling great pride in his grandchildren’s achievements, he always enjoyed attending their activities and performances.

Fred was intelligent, fun, engaging and a competitive tennis player from the ages of 4 to more than 81 years.  He was also an active member of St. John Neuman Catholic church in Freetown, MA.,  where he was a lector and extraordinary minister of the Eucharist. Fred was an integral participant in the creation of the new columbarium and church hall.  Over the years he guided and taught Faith Formation, RCIA, and Evenings for the Engaged. 

Fred enjoyed travelling the whole world, with his beloved Conni.  All of Europe, parts of the Orient, Nepal. Australia and New Zealand were some of his favorites.  He found moments of excitement hiking the glaciers in Argentina and New Zealand.  Planning and hosting fantastic family reunion vacations at interesting destinations was his travel forte.                                                                                           

In 1999 Fred retired from Polaroid Corporation.  In 2000, he reentered academia as a Senior Lecturer at Bentley University.  He loved teaching his students how to start businesses, and they revered him for his honesty and commitment to them.  Repeatedly, former, and present students called him for advice on their business pursuits.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents as well as his brother, Roger Tuffile.  He is survived by his wife, Conni Tuffile, and his sons Alexander, Charles, and Anthony, their respective wives, Jainaba, Michelle, and Lucretia, plus ten grandchildren from 20 to 4 years of age.  The grandchildren are Cami, Tucker, Hollis, Stuart, Celia, Quinton, Gigi, Spenser, Piper, and Vesper.

A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John Neumann Church, 157 Middleboro Road, E. Freetown, MA, 02717 on November 19, 2022, at 10:00 AM.  Family receiving line to precede Mass at 9:30 AM in the Church Narthex.  After Mass, a private family committal will be in the Columbarium. A refreshment reception will be in the Church Hall immediately following Mass.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred’s memory can be made to EWTN at www.ewtn.org or by mailing your gifts to EWTN, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210.

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