The New Jersey community is mourning the reported death of Greg Tufaro, a longtime and widely respected sports journalist whose career spanned more than three decades and whose influence extended far beyond the newsroom.
Tufaro reportedly died on Monday, August 10, 2026, following a battle with cancer. His passing marks the loss of a familiar voice in Middlesex County sports and a dedicated community advocate who spent much of his later life supporting children, student-athletes and families.
For many people across Central New Jersey, Tufaro was best known for his extensive coverage of high school and scholastic athletics. During his 31-year journalism career with the USA TODAY Network New Jersey, he developed a reputation for thoughtful reporting and a strong commitment to student-athlete health and safety.
His work earned widespread recognition. In 2015, Tufaro was named New Jersey Sportswriter of the Year, adding to the numerous honors he received throughout his journalism career. His reporting gave generations of young athletes a platform while highlighting the people, families and communities behind high school sports.
But Tufaro’s contribution to New Jersey extended well beyond journalism.
Together with his wife, Cyndi, he became a prominent advocate for children through the Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which was established in memory of their daughter, Marisa.
Marisa was born with a complex cardiac defect and underwent six open-heart surgeries before receiving a heart transplant. She later developed a rare form of cancer and died in January 2017 at just 13 years old.
Following their daughter’s death, Greg and Cyndi transformed their grief into an enduring charitable mission. The Marisa Tufaro Foundation supported children throughout Middlesex County and built relationships with schools, athletic programs, hospitals and community organizations.
The foundation’s work grew steadily over the years, providing financial assistance and support for pediatric patients and children facing difficult circumstances. By 2025, the organization had donated approximately $375,000, according to a conference program.
In August 2026, the foundation announced that it had completed its charitable mission after raising and donating approximately half a million dollars over the course of its existence.
That achievement represents one of the most enduring parts of Tufaro’s legacy. What began from an unimaginable family tragedy became a source of assistance and hope for children and families across the community.
Tufaro’s commitment to public service also continued after his journalism career. He later became chief of staff to New Jersey State Senator Patrick Diegnan, bringing his experience and understanding of local communities into government and continuing his work on issues affecting students, athletes and families.
For colleagues, friends and community members, Tufaro’s reported death is being remembered as the loss of a journalist who believed strongly in the importance of community and the power of telling people’s stories.
His career was defined by thousands of stories about athletes and communities, but his legacy reaches further through the charitable work he undertook with his wife in memory of their daughter.
Greg Tufaro leaves behind a lasting mark on Central New Jersey — through his journalism, his public service, his advocacy for children and the foundation that turned his family’s grief into a mission of giving.
As the community mourns his reported passing, many are remembering not only the sportswriter who spent decades documenting the achievements of young athletes, but also the husband, father and advocate whose work continued to make a difference long after the final story was filed.
