Louis Tufarelli, beloved father, dies at 86

Louis Tufarelli was one of those unique persons who seemingly “knew everyone,” according to those who loved him most. Known to most people as “Brother” or “Bro,” Louis, father to Valley Stream Deputy Mayor John Tufarelli, passed away on January 3, 2024 at the age of 86.

A consummate New Yorker, Louis lived his early life in East New York and Ozone Park, before making his way out to Valley Stream in 1979.  He and his wife Mary spent the next twenty-five years enjoying a suburban lifestyle with their three children, John, Annette and Maryrose, watching them make their way with families of their own.  Louis and Mary eventually retired to Florida where they lived happily among family for eighteen years, before returning to Long Island last year.

A hard working man, Louis lived by the philosophy that “Any day you can go to work is a good day.”  He worked seven days a week and made sure his family had everything they needed and wanted.  His family has described him as “the best father and husband in the whole world.  And he did it all whilst whistling and singing and making everyone laugh.”

Deputy Mayor Tufarelli, said of his father, “He could talk to anyone about anything and believe me he did!”  But, according to Tufarelli, Louis’ favorite person to talk to was Mary, his beautiful wife of 63 years.  “There was no one on earth more precious to him than her.  Like two magnets drawn together, where she went, he would go and he never wanted to be without her.” A man of great integrity, he would go to the cemetery often to visit loved ones and “instilled in all of us important family values,” reflected Tufarelli.

Sunday dinners with his family, reminiscing on his early years in Brooklyn, old cars and John Wayne movies, these simple pleasures rounded out a life well-lived.  When things got a little tough, “there was never a problem that couldn’t be fixed with a lottery ticket or a scratch-off.” In addition to Mary and his children, Louis leaves behind seven grandchildren, the eldest Michael who saved his poppy a seat next to him in Heaven.  He was also blessed with four sweet great grand-daughters whom he cherished, and who lit up his life. By all accounts, there was nothing Louis loved more than being hand in hand with his beloved wife Mary, surrounded by the family he so adored, and who in turn adored him so deeply.