Paul Jonathan Tuffin

Paul Jonathan Tuffin was born in Charleston, West Virginia on September 9, 1927 to Nellie Carter Tuffin (d. 1992) and Gerald David Tuffin (d. 1963). Paul was the youngest of three children, Lucy (d. 1939) and Gerald David Jr. (d. 2004). Paul's father, known as 'Chief', was born in British Guyana in 1878 ( records indicate be may have been of Moroccan decent). Chief joined the Merchant Marine at 14. After traveling the world, he landed in Newport News, Virginia, where he met Nellie and her daughter from a previous marriage, Lucy. They soon married and Gerald (David) and Paul were born in quick succession. Nellie worked as a maid and Chief was an entrepreneur who ran a series of businesses and sold his own liniment. He was known for wearing a tie to mow the lawn. The family moved to Bluefield to help Paul's Aunt Emeline with her eight children after her husband was killed in a coal mining accident. As a result, Paul grew up among a host of cousins- June, Charles, Daniel, Lish, Vernon, Ben and Winston, to name a few-- in the mountains of Bluefield, West Virginia during the depression. His steadfast faith and passion for life was confirmed when, as a young boy, he fell off a porch and was unconscious for three days. Miraculously, he awoke and proceeded to make every moment count.
His depression era world was larger than his mountain community. Chief, who could be accurately described as an international man of mystery, would regale Paul, his siblings and cousins with stories from his sailing adventures around the world. A favorite involved Chief waking up one morning in Arch Angel, Russia and having to chop the ice that had formed overnight and adhered his vessel to the dock. He also made up a scary story called "Thirteen" that was told in 13 installments. Chief spoke seven different languages and introduced the children to coconut. He was such a unique figure, that Paul and Dave were called 'half-breeds' by local kids due to their father's accent. Chief gave Paul a curiosity about the larger world and a love for poetry that remained with him his entire life.
The tight-knit Bluefield community encouraged Paul's academic proclivities. In an effort to keep their children from growing up and working in the coal mines, every child was encouraged to get an education. Paul talked about how neighbors would randomly ask him where he was going to college when he was outside playing. In what seems remarkable for the time, nearly all of Paul's eight first cousins and his surviving sibling went on to college and graduate school.
An excellent student, Paul went to the segregated Tazewell County High School where he graduated second in his class and honed his love of poetry. With no money for college, Paul joined the Army in 1946 after high School and was stationed in Hawaii. He spoke often of his time in the segregated military. He worked as a medical technician and was honorably discharged in 1947 after receiving the rank of corporal and a World War II Victory Medal. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Paul enrolled at Bluefield State College, at the time, an HBCU. While registering, he was asked what his major would be, but had no answer. His original plan was to go to Howard University and become a Pharmacist, but Bluefield State did not have a pharmacy course. So, he repeated what the person in front of him said, Social Sciences, and that became his major. In addition to performing well in school, Paul joined the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. A true Kappa man, Paul served as Dean of Pledges while in College. He remained an active member his entire life, receiving his 50-year jacket in 1998. Paul Graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, magna cum laude.
Joining the Great Migration, Paul moved north to Detroit, Michigan with his brother, Dave, after college. Then his life changed. His land lady, Polly Johnson, introduced him to the daughter of a dear friend who was visiting from Cleveland. That young woman turned out to be Virginia Hamilton, the love of his life. The two were married six months later, on June 22, 1952 at St. John AME Church. Paul moved to Cleveland and enrolled in Cleveland Marshall Law School. Later, he and Virginia moved to Shaker Heights, where he spent the rest of his life. During law school, he worked as an agent for the Internal Revenue Service. After graduation, he received offers to work at large Cleveland firms based on his superior grades, but the jobs disappeared when they discovered the color of his skin. Not to be deterred, he hung out his shingle and began his own practice while continuing to work for the Internal Revenue Service. In 1960, he joined the Veteran's Administration where he worked as an adjudicator. Over the next 33 years Paul became head adjudicator and Section Chief for the VA at the time of his first retirement in 1983. Paul then began his second career as a Magistrate Judge in the Cleveland Municipal Housing Court. He retired from that position in 1995.
Paul and Virginia spent sixty-four wonderful years together. Paul took every opportunity to guide Virginia gracefully across the dance floor. The happy couple attended St. John, travelled the world and socialized with friends-the Adrines, Hundleys, Purefoys, Robinsons, Roses, Kendricks and Blands, to name only a few--enjoying the good and supporting each other through the bad. Paul and Virginia were blessed with three children-Paul Jr (died in infancy), Paula Ann and James Brian.
An avid sportsman, Paul loved any sport with a ball. He made lifelong friends on the football field in Bluefield, and spent his free time playing tennis and volleyball, watching sports and fishing. He also loved untamed nature. He relished Jack London's "The Call of the Wild" and tales of the west. His favorite vacation with Virginia was a cruise to Alaska. His gentle soul was at home in the mountains.
Paul devoted his life to service to the church, his family and the community. He taught Sunday School at St. John's all his adult life in Cleveland until Alzheimer's Disease robbed him of that joy. He sat on the Campbell Court Senior Housing board of trustees. He was also a proud member of the Bluefieldians, and attended college reunions regularly. He engaged in numerous fundraising and volunteer activities through his Kappa Alpha Psi Chapter. He was also a member of the National Bar Association and the Herman S. Minor Law Club. Although he did not speak often, when he did choose to share his views, everyone listened. He was fond of the Teddy Roosevelt saying 'speak softly and carry a big stick.'
Paul was a tireless supporter of his children's pursuits. He taught them everything from swimming to reading to philosophical insights. He did the simple things like joining the Indian Guides with his son, Brian. He attended nearly every ice hockey, soccer, football and field hockey game his children played. He became so devoted to Brian's high school hockey team that continued to attend games after Brian graduated in between traveling to Columbus to watch Brian with the Buckeyes and his nephew Eric with the Nittany Lions. And up until he could travel no more he loved attending his grandchildren's soccer and hockey games.
Paul was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2009 and was lovingly cared for by his wife, Virginia until April, 2016. Paul was then cared for at the Windsor Heights Alzheimer's Care Facility where he was visited by Virginia and Tom daily, and his family and friends.
Paul left this world on October 13, 2017 in the presence of his children, Paula and Brian. He leaves behind his devoted brother-in-law Tom and sister-in- law Barbara, his son-in-law, Reg Hollinger and daughter-in-law Mary Tuffin, grandchildren, Andrew and Sarah Hollinger and Maya, Jada and Ian Tuffin, Nephews Eric(Patty) and Scott(Lisa) Hamilton, Jonathan, Jerry and Trent Tuffin, niece Diana Tuffin, grand-nieces Ollie, Marie and Jenna Hamilton and grand-nephews Chad and Shawn Hamilton, God-children, Donald Head, Jr., Jackie Butler Lawson and Debra Robinson and a host of extended family and friends to celebrate his life.

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