Memorial for Marcus "KUTFATHER" Tufono

Marcus "Kutfather" Tufono after fighting with all his might passed away at the midnite hour on 12/30/2020 from septic shock.

For those who reached out to us and want to help and contribute to Kut's memorial fund, you likely know Marcus profession as a DJ did not allow him to accumulate a savings or retirement fund.  The State does not fund funeral expenses for SSI/Medicaid recipients.  This gofundme was created in response to those who have reached out to us and want to contribute to the incurring cost of his funeral expense.

Marcus suffered his condition for the last 18 yrs of his life and was quadriplegic his final 8 years.  Caring for him was costly, and ensuring he was cared for in the most appropriate, capable and caring facilities at times was financially stressful and challenging for our family.     

Many of you know that Covid restricts large gatherings and have offered to contribute in liu of your not being able to physically attend his memorial services.  Your kind and caring contribution of any amount would help pay for the minimal costs of Kut’s funeral expenses that are adding up to upwards of $10k which is our goal to ensure his end of life wishes are met and he is honored as he so deserves. 

Please press the link on this post to enter your kind contribution. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE & LIGHT IN HELPING US HONOR OUR BELOVED BROTHER, LOVING FATHER, SUPPORTIVE & LOVING UNCLE, THE GRAND IMPERIAL DJ/MC MARCUS KUTFATHER TUFONO.

Learning more about Marcus “Kutfather’s” background:
Marcus suffered from chicken pox at 2 years old and had to be hospitalized after suffering seizures.   The antibiotics used to treat him back in the 70’s would later become the debilitating factor in a spinal condition his body would eventually develop  and gradually take away his mobility.  Ankylosing Spondylitis is an autoimmune condition only men in their 70s usually develop and this flared up in Marcus in his late 20s!   After becoming almost completely immobile along with several impacting life events and experiences, Marcus moved back to Washington to be cared for by his siblings.  

Marcus was born the 4th Son to Alatina & Siva Tufono.  He literally was the only one of the seven siblings that inherited our father’s gifted music talent of singing and musicianship. 

Marcus grew to love R&B music at the early age of just 5yrs old, and would sneak into Sistah T's cassette tapes surprisingly memorizing lyrics instantly to songs from R&B groups such as Heatwave, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Dramatics, Chi-Lites, the Manhattans, Switch, and seriously way too many more to name! 

At Pre-teen Marcus was immersed in MTV Music Videos. Rap Attack was born on MTV and it changed his outlook on music forever!  He didn’t care much for the Music Artist, but more so for the DJ.  He became infatuated with the musicianship. How the beat was made, executed, delivered and received.  It made him learn to listen with a keen ear for precision in music.  Something one can only naturally have or inherit-you can’t be “taught” how to enjoy music this way!

When he was gifted his own 1200’s and a mixer, no one could get him out of his room!  He constantly moved his hand in a scratching motion!  There were many times my Parents would bang on his door to turn his music down!  He would rebel and mix with his headphones-you could just tell he imagined himself performing!  Both annoying and irritating it was not clear to our family what Marcus developed into until he DJ’d a fundraiser for our Mothers community event.  At 13 yrs old he dragged his 1200 turn tables, little mixer and two record crates and BLEW US AWAY with mixing Big Daddy Kane’s “Ain’t no Half Step’n” with Sybil’s “Don’t make me over”....he continued to mix Artist like Kwame, Special Ed, De La Soul etc...with old school R&B hits and next thing we knew, EVERYONE stood in front of the DJ booth!!!  He was paid $200 of which our mother kept, but he was proud of his first paid gig!    

Marcus Kutfather Tufono came, wreaked havoc, calmed the storm and left in peace! Neva Scared to Hug my Brother! (His words).  He LIVED his life the way he wanted.  He cherished his friendships and he loved his family.  

All proceeds with this GoFundMe account will go to
funeral expenses.

We want to thank you all for all your kind words, texts, social media posts, and donations.

The Tufono family thanks you all,

- Matthew "DJ PRYME TYME" Tufono