THE FALCON
The Student Newspaper of Saint Joseph High School Since 1961
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Remembering Greg Tufaro '85
Remembering Greg Tufaro '85
By Chris Harring '05
What it takes to be a Saint Joseph Man is often left up to individual interpretation, though rarely will you see it defined without the impassioned commitment to one’s community. Service, at its core, is to act in the image both of the very best of men and in the spirit of the Lord.
Gregory Tufaro ‘85 passed away on August 10, 2026, at age 59. Greg had been battling blood cancer for years, all the while working diligently to help others as he had done throughout his life. Even when his body was failing him, Greg never failed his community, as he continued to lead the Marisa Tufaro Foundation, founded with his wife, Cyndi, in honor of his late daughter Marisa, in their mission to provide support for children in need throughout Middlesex County. Marisa passed away in 2017 after developing Stage IV cancer as a result of surgeries to correct a cardiac defect.
Greg and Cyndi turned the pain of that incredible loss into a source of support for those who needed it the most, children at their most vulnerable point, by way of over $500,000 in donations since its inception in July of 2017. In addition to the monetary support, the Tufaro Foundation also donated countless items to families in need, including food, jackets, books, school supplies and toys, and awarded over $40,000 in scholarships to students in Middlesex County who similarly devoted themselves to service work.
Greg’s contributions to Saint Joe’s, his alma mater, are equally as extensive, as he stepped in to represent the alumni community every opportunity that he had. Students who graduated from Saint Joe’s over the past several decades and pursued careers in journalism can point to Greg as a model to follow after his many Career Day talks and the impact that he had on the local high school sports community as a writer for the Home News Tribune and Courier News for thirty years. He was a walking encyclopedia of Saint Joe’s sports knowledge, which is why he was integral to the return of the Saint Joe’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. Greg was also a constant partner of students looking to pursue their own service work, as he and his Foundation sponsored events like the Saint Joe’s Bowling Pro-Am and the Marisa Tufaro Bowl.
When the foundation sent out an email on August 3 announcing that it would be concluding its charitable mission, there were few who could have assumed what news would follow just one week later. No one who saw Greg at the many events he assisted with or helped organize over the past several years could have assumed that he was quietly battling his own illness due to the passion he showed for helping others. Until his final moments, Greg was committed to making the lives around him better, and there is no greater role that someone could serve. For that, Greg will always be a model for all future Falcons to follow.
Saint Joe's Star Shines in the NBA Finals
Saint Joe's Star Shines in the NBA Finals
By Richie Adenau
Published On 6/6/26
The New York Knicks are putting together one of the most dominant playoff runs in NBA history. As the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, New York opened its postseason against the Atlanta Hawks. After a Game 3 loss on April 23 left the Knicks trailing 2-1 in the series, the team responded in a big way. Since that defeat, the Knicks have not lost a game, winning 13 consecutive games while outscoring opponents by a combined 273 points. They closed out the Hawks in six games before sweeping both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite entering the NBA Finals as underdogs against the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks have continued their incredible run, winning the first two games of the series at San Antonio. For the Spurs to win the series, not only do they have to go through a red-hot Knicks team riding a 13-game winning streak, but also make NBA Finals history. After dropping the first two games at home, San Antonio faces the daunting task of becoming the first team ever to recover from an 0-2 Finals deficit after losing both opening games on its home court. Now, with the series shifting to Madison Square Garden, the Knicks are just two wins away from capturing their first NBA championship since 1973 and completing one of the greatest playoff runs the NBA has ever seen.
Saint Joseph High School alumnus Karl-Anthony Towns has been one of the driving forces behind the Knicks' playoff success. Through New York's first 16 postseason games, Towns has averaged 17.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. While continuing to score at a high level, he has evolved into one of the team's primary playmakers, averaging a career-high assist total for a playoff run. His ability to create opportunities for teammates has made New York's offense even more dangerous.
However, Towns' impact goes beyond the stat sheet. In the NBA Finals, he has been tasked with defending Victor Wembanyama, who finished third in MVP voting. Through physical defense and relentless effort, Towns has forced Wembanyama out of his comfort zone and into several costly mistakes. Long criticized by some as not being a physical player, Towns has answered those doubts by matching one of the league's most dominant stars with toughness and intensity on both ends of the floor.
Towns' offensive versatility has also created major problems for San Antonio. Widely regarded as the best three-point-shooting center in NBA history, he forces Wembanyama to defend far from the basket. This allows the Knicks to space the floor with a five-out offense, opening driving lanes for guards and wings while preventing Wembanyama from using his elite rim protection in the paint. As a result, Towns has become one of the biggest reasons New York finds itself just two wins away from an NBA championship.
As the Knicks chase their first championship in more than 50 years, Towns has proven that his value goes far beyond points and rebounds, establishing himself as one of the most important players in New York's historic playoff run.
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