Richard S. Snead
Richard S. Snead
Richard S. Snead was born March 15, 1937, and passed away Sept. 6, 2025, with his beloved wife, Lori, lying next to him.
Richard was born in Des Moines, Iowa, but soon after his birth, his family, including his older sister, moved to Long Beach, Calif. Richard learned to swim, surf, and water ski—he was “out there having fun in the warm California sun.” Richard graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Long Beach State College. For several years he worked for American Machine & Foundry as a field engineer, he also worked at North American Aviation in plant layout. In 1963 Richard accepted a job at Sylvania Electronics in Mountain View, Calif., and moved to Freemont, Calif.
One day in 1963, while driving home from work, he stopped at the Brass Rail (a watering hole for Lockheed employees). Meanwhile, Lori (a single mother of three boys) also stopped at the Brass Rail to celebrate her first week back to work after a two-month medical leave. They met, they fell in love, they married and enjoyed 61 years of happiness.
During those years they lived in California, the Philippines, North Dakota, Montana, Italy, and Massachusetts. In 1970, while living in Massachusetts, they adopted their loved daughter, Karen.
One day while living in Massachusetts, Richard came home from work (as marketing manager at Sylvania) and said he wanted to quit his job to move to Tucson, Ariz., and open a furniture refinishing business. And that’s what he did with Lori always at his side.
He owned Bix Furniture Refinishing for 33 years located at 440 N. 4th Avenue, while also managing the business. He and Lori also remodeled five homes and built the first two-story adobe home in Tucson. While living in the Sam Hughes neighborhood, Richard and Lori worked very hard to get a historical designation for the neighborhood.
In 2005, Richard and Lori moved to SaddleBrooke, where Richard continued to volunteer—for Kids Closet, chairman of the ALC, Unit 46 Rep, and food drive driver. His life was an inspiration; he was always friendly, kind, generous, and willing to help when needed.
Richard spent many enjoyable hours at the DesertView SaddleBrooke Library.
Richard is loved and survived by his devoted wife Lori; his sister Sibylan; his sons Michael, Randal, Timothy, and daughter Karen; grandchildren Logan, Tyler, Kasey, Ryan, Nathan, Devlynn, Daniel, Samantha, Jessica; and great-grandchildren Chloe, River, and Bodhi.
Ralph Frederick Tufts Jr.
Ralph Frederick Tufts Jr.
Ralph Tufts of SaddleBrooke passed suddenly at his home on Aug. 14, 2025, after a short illness. He was with his wife Cathie, his daughter Donna, and his grandson Ethan.
Born in Easton, Mass., on March 29, 1934, he was the oldest of three children born to the late Ralph Tufts Sr. and late Lois Tufts Cushman. His sister is Nancy Pantano of Peabody, Mass. and brother Bill (Barbara) Tufts of Mystic, Conn.
He earned his degree at Bentley University. He worked at General Electric, Union Pacific in New York and Rocky Mountain Energy in their corporate offices as financial vice president.
He met the love of his life, Cathie, working in Syracuse, N.Y., for General Electric. They celebrated 51 years of marriage in August. From Syracuse they moved to Ridgefield, Conn., where they lived for four years. From there Ralph joined Union Pacific and they moved to Evergreen, Colo., where they lived for 30 years.
Ralph and Cathie also had a condo in Keystone, Colo., and spent 30 years skiing winters there. They loved to travel and saw most of Europe, Canada, and the United States. They also loved cruises. Ralph loved all sports; his favorite being golf with friends, pickleball, bocce ball, card games, and working in the yard. He was a bicyclist on Ride the Rockies for years. With his coworkers he raised Arabian Horses. He also loved reading, investing, and fitness. Finding words to describe him is a challenge—he was one–of–a–kind.
Ralph was predeceased by two sons, Ralph F. Tufts 3rd and Joseph Bradley Tufts.
He is survived by his wife Cathie, his brother Bill (Barbara), sister Nancy, and five children: Donna Hampshire, Patrica Tufts, Andy and Lisa Tufts, Brian Tufts (Lori), and Bill Tufts; seven grandchildren; and six great–grandchildren.
Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Great–Grandpa, you remain alive and with us in our hearts and minds forever.
There was a memorial service for Ralph on Oct. 4 at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley, Ariz. A recording will be available for anyone who could not attend.