NJ Outfielder 'Tuffer' Wilton Dies at 72

Dec. 1, 2014 – Joe Ruggiero SSUSA staff

Moreland “Tuffer” Wilton, 72, of New Jersey, a reliable outfielder and impressive base-runner, died at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Somerset, Somerville, N.J., on Aug. 21. Tuffer, as he was known by his friends and family, played for the New Jersey Jaguars and New Jew Jersey Masters since 2008. “Tuffer loved softball. Tuffer ran like a deer and was a great outfielder. If I asked him to come out and play on Christmas, he would be there,” said his manager and teammate, Bob Pietrzyk, “We lost a great player.” An avid hot rod mechanic and co-owner of Reese Performance in Somerville for 24 years, Tuffer could always be found taking a car apart, repairing one or putting one back together. Still working on cars at Corbo’s Automotive at the time of his death, Tuffer remained committed to his lifelong passion. Though his love of cars, softball, volleyball and roller-skating were well-known, nothing gave Tuffer greater joy than spending time with is grandchildren. A notorious jokester, known by many as a “big-kid,” Tuffer loved to pull pranks at the delight of his grandchildren.