The Exeter area can mourn the loss of Arthur Tufts as a community, even if some people around town and the region may have never actually known him. But, recalling the many ways Tufts contributed to the community, it seems few may not have met him.

Tufts died last Tuesday at age 85.

Ticking off the list of things Tufts accomplished in his life is no short sentence "" husband, father, grandfather, farmer, business owner, athlete, coach, sports fan, state representative, state senator, server of great cider, political aficionado, volunteer host on the Amtrak Downeaster and, of course, friend.

And certainly his friends and family could probably add more to this list.

That's why people who never met this man can mourn the loss to the community and know what it means when someone like Arthur Tufts passes on.

It leaves a hole in a community and a sad understanding that life never gives us quite enough time, even for someone like Tufts who packs so much into his or her time among us. It reminds us that even the great ones must come and go.

Stories about Tufts remind us how some men and women contribute more to the fabric of our community. This is not in any way to slight the contributions of others, but instead to make sure we stop and acknowledge those who go the extra mile, who give a little "" or a lot "" more.

That is, of course, the best reason to celebrate the life of Arthur Tufts; to praise greatness among us so that we may continue the legacy of people like Tufts and to inspire others to strive to achieve this greatness as well.

While Tufts was Republican, he probably could have cited the famous quote of Democrat Tip O'Neill who opined, "All politics is local." The same might be said of community involvement. In a world when senators and presidents, athletes and actors are put on pedestals and made to be bigger than life, it's refreshing to have a reminder that the men and women who truly make the most impact are those who share our lives in the community in which we live.

The pages of The Exeter News-Letter carried many stories about Arthur Tufts over the years and the decades, and we are honored to write a few words in honor of this man. Thank you, Arthur, for all you did and for giving us a legacy for others to follow.

"" The Exeter News-Letter