Tom Stauffer, 68, of Lititz, died Nov. 21 after a life that featured an outdoorsy childhood, a sparks-flying marriage, three lively kids, a career as a master craftsman, time behind the wheel of a succession of greasy Land Rovers, the endless chase of the perfect trout and the love of a good dog named Stanley.

The son of a toy designer who became a pewter maker and a take-no-prisoners mom, he was one of six kids who grew up hunting, riding mini bikes and roaming over the mountains of Juniata County and crabbing and swimming on the Eastern Shore.

He always worked with his hands, first as a brick mason, then a home builder and then a 17th and 18th century furniture maker. He was a meticulous perfectionist who also was a wiz at Super Gluing all of the stuff his crazy kids broke. He could fix anything. He was both unfailingly generous and super thrifty, fondly nursing along an ancient Volvo station wagon and family car that had 300,000 miles on it when he finally gifted it to a college student.

At home, Tom and his wife Cindy, both stubborn and opinionated, enjoyed 39 years of marriage that was never dull, always starting their day with a shared cup of coffee. Their children were Tom's whole world – he walked them to school and picked them up when they were sick or had detention (hiding the last part from Cindy). He packed up their belongings in his work van and helped them move all over the country when they left home to make their own way in the world, waiting until he was driving away to cry. Each of them returned to Lititz to get married in the weeks after Tom was diagnosed with cancer so their dad could be part of their special day.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy, and his kids, Kate Mueller, wife of Andrew; Ben, husband of Trista; and Allison Lloyd, wife of Zack; three sisters, Kathy Yoder, Susie Leed and Deb Eidemiller; and a brother, Dave. His mom and dad, Tom and Betsy, and a brother, Jeff, preceded him in death.

How lucky we were to have him in our lives. In his memory, call your kids or someone you love "tutz" and then tell them to get back to work.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, Nov. 29, in the fellowship hall in the Brothers House of the Lititz Moravian Church, 8 Church Square, Lititz. Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 AM until the time of service.