Jeffrey Joseph Tougas

Jeffrey Joseph Tougas passed away at his home in Westerly RI on Aug 24th, 2023. He was the son of the late Joseph Henry Tougas and the late Barbara Helen Tougas (Hinchliffe). In addition to his parents, Jeffrey was preceded in death by his brother Michael David Tougas.

Jeff is survived by many family members including his son Jesse Benjamin Tougas of Carlsbad, California, Jesse’s mother Allison Moore, four sisters Mary Tougas (Lee), Janine Johnson (Mark), Stephanie Duval (Dave) and Jacqueline Crowley (David), sister-in-law Brenda Tougas, many loving Aunts and Uncles, beloved cousins, nieces and nephews and greats, and dear friends along his journey in life.

Jeff was a talented craftsman, a passionate musician, a lifetime surfer, lover of the ocean, and a storyteller with a kind heart. He deeply loved his family and had an infectious warm laugh that lit up his face. Growing up he spent much time with “the Scouts” at Yawgoog Scout Camp with family and friends. He was spiritual and lived soulfully through the music he would create on any one of his many cherished guitars, playing them at several parishes he made his home during his life. He absolutely loved getting into mischief with his cousins, both Tougas and Hinchliffe alike. Jeff always had a lot to say and if you had the time to listen to him reminisce about his experiences you would be a better person for it.

Jeff worked for Guild Guitars in Westerly RI for many years. He took immense pride in his craftsmanship, fitting necks to the guitars he worked on. He enjoyed sharing his insight about famous musicians who played the guitars he fitted, impressing his family and being proud of his achievements; helping provide a tool to these musicians so that they could move others to feel what Jeff always felt for the beautiful sound that could come from a guitar.

Jeff loved surfing his whole life and felt at home in the waters of South County. Throughout his 68+ years, he had almost as many surfboards as guitars and adored every one of them. He was someone quick to offer help and if you didn’t know where he was at any given time, chances are he was on someone’s roof who asked him “Hey Jeff, can you take a look at….” Even after the physical challenges in his later life, he would still hop skip and jump to get on a roof while being colorfully expressive getting there…

He loved his family and friends and we will miss him - “Jeff”, “Jeffrey”, “Jeffrey Joseph”, “JJ”, “JT”, “Jeffrey Here”, and, how Jesse always referred to him as, “my Dad”.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Jeff to be determined in September. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, pls consider donating in remembrance of Jeffrey to RICAN (Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need) at https://www.rhodeislandcan.org/ or 401-364-9412, located in Charlestown, RI at 805 Alton Carolina Rd.