Joan Tufaro

Joan Tufaro, 89, of Middletown, New Jersey, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. Born in the Bronx, New York, to Anne and John Rossi, she lived in Brooklyn before moving to Middletown 32 years ago.

Joan met the love of her life, Nick, when they were both 14 years old. They married five years later and raised their three children in Brooklyn. In 1995, she and Nick moved to Middletown, New Jersey. She cherished spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She looked forward to vacationing in Florida and took many cruises with her husband and her childhood friends. Joan loved the holidays and took great joy in cooking and baking for her family. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, knitting, and attending Broadway shows.

She is survived by her husband of more than 70 years, Nicholas Tufaro Sr., her sons Nicholas Tufaro Jr. (Amanda) and Steve Tufaro (Yolanda), her daughter Linda DiMeo (Maurice), her brother Stewart Rossi (Deborah), and her eight grandchildren: Steven Jr. (Greila), Michael, John, Thomas (Jessica), Matthew, Nicole, Amanda, and Victoria, along with her grand pup, Cannoli. She is also survived by her two dear childhood friends, the “Sarahs.”