Joseph “Joe” Albert Tufts III

SCARBOROUGH – Capt. Joe Tufts, 80, died unexpectedly July 16, 2025, at Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough. A “Mainer” in the truest way, he was born July 22, 1944, in Ellsworth, the son of Joseph and Alice (Perkins) Tufts.

He trapped for money as a boy. He was also a talented artist from early on making signs and paintings in high school. He graduated from Houlton High School in 1963. He attended Butera School of Art in Boston where he became an official “sign guy.” After graduating from Butera he joined the United States Coast Guard Serving from 1966 to 1970. He started Scarborough Signs in 1972 and spent 35 years perfecting and teaching the craft of sign making.

After the sale of the shop in 2007, he devoted his time to running ‘Rockin’ Reel’ sport fishing charters and sharing his passion for the ocean with good humor and fun. Acquiring his Captain’s License was one of his greatest moments. He opened another sign shop at Port Harbor Marina and lettered hundreds of boats before retiring in 2024. During his brief retirement, he enjoyed exploring and hiking through Maine and spending time with his grandchildren.

Joe was an avid sportsman spending the fall and winter seasons in The Forks, that he made his second hometown. Throughout the 80’s, Joe was inspirational in teaching ATV safety, traveling around Maine and the rest of the country, gently showing new riders the way to fun. The high point of his ATV ice racing career was the sponsorship From Mark’s Showplace (iykyk).

He was an active member of the Scarborough Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years serving as 1st Lt. at Engine 7, where he also spearheaded a very competitive Muster Team across the state. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Scarborough for many years. He took great pride in their fundraising events.

Joe is survived by his partner, Susan Lockwood of South Portland, his sister Mary of Auburn, son Todd Tufts and his partner Stacy Hudson of Sharon, Conn., and four grandchildren, Clelia Tufts of Wilmington, N.C., Macin, Levi, and Finn Tufts of Bethel, Conn. Beyond his immediate family he also leaves behind many lifelong friends who will miss him dearly. Joe is predeceased by his parents, and his brother, Tim Tufts.

Graveside service will be held 10 a.m., July 24, 2025, at the Riverside Cemetery in Hancock. Details for the Celebration of life event to be announced via social media soon.

Condolences may be expressed at http://www.jordanfernald.com.

In lieu of flowers or Miller Lite in bottles, donations can be made to Joe’s tribute page on alz.org or this link: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=978564