Rufus Leonard Titus Jr.

August 2, 1933 - May 31, 2023

IN BETWEEN....

Rufus grew up on Pond Street in Marblehead and attended public schools graduating from Marblehead High School in 1951. He served in the US Army and graduated from Boston University in 1957. As part of his continuing education he completed proficiency courses in municipal finance and healthcare financing at University of Massachusetts, Amherst and University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He became a licensed insurance and bond broker for several years before joining Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield as an enrollment representative in the office of Clyde’s ‘Proud Team of Boston South Minute Men’—“Go Mac!” During his career with the Companies he also served in claims administration, professional relations and computer operations. When Rufus retired from Blue Cross he worked in the library at Salem State University and at Abbot Public Library in Marblehead.

Rufus was involved in various organizations throughout his life. He was elected to the Board of Assessors in the 1970’s and was a regular attendee at both Selectmen and town meetings. He was a past president of the Marblehead Visiting Nurses Association where he was appointed to a committee to study the future and best use of the Mary Alley Hospital building on Widger Road. He also served on the Cemetery Commission, Board of Directors of the Marblehead Savings Bank Investment Committee, Philanthropic Lodge AF&AM, and was a past Commodore at the Marblehead Yacht Club. He was honored by the Marblehead Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow; and, in more recent years he volunteered as a docent at the Maritime Museum at Abbot Hall and the Mapping Marblehead exhibit at the Old Town House. He will be fondly remembered at his post as crossing guard at the corner of Pond, Elm and Green Streets.

Rufus leaves his wife of 68 years, Jean Lindsey Titus. Together they ran two businesses and raised three children. In 1974 Rufus and Jean bought the small neighborhood store Mullen’s and renamed it The Little Store because “that’s what it was.” Years later they reworked their home to accommodate a guest house, The Golden Cod, which they ran successfully for more than 30 years. Rufus is predeceased by his eldest daughter Joan Titus Reagan and leaves behind her two children Joe Reagan and Jennifer Reagan Blaha, their father John Reagan and four great grandchildren. He is survived by son John Titus and his wife Paula; his youngest daughter Lindsey; nephews Calvin and Robert Titus; and niece Nancy Titus Person and their families.

Graveside memorial services will be held at Waterside Cemetery in Marblehead on Thursday, July 6, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow at the VFW, 321 West Shore Drive.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for the Titus family.