Morgan Hill will have to face the future without Ken Tougas. The
longtime volunteer, mover and shaker-up and advocate for children
and seniors died Thursday of cancer. Tougas, who turned 66 on March
2, will be honored Wednesday in a series of services and tributes
designed to give both his Morgan Hill and San Jose
“families” time to mourn and to celebrate his life and many
accomplishments.
Morgan Hill will have to face the future without Ken Tougas.
The longtime volunteer, mover and shaker-up and advocate for children and seniors died Thursday of cancer. Tougas, who turned 66 on March 2, will be honored Wednesday in a series of services and tributes designed to give both his Morgan Hill and San Jose “families” time to mourn and to celebrate his life and many accomplishments.
Burial will take place Wednesday morning in San Jose; a memorial service in the afternoon in Morgan Hill will be followed by an evening tribute when the City Council meets at 7 p.m.. Everyone is welcome at all three.
That Tougas approached “sainthood” in town was not a secret. He had been named Chamber of Commerce Showcase Man of the Year in 1999, by a community that knew what a valuable asset he was.
“Ken wanted to see the community succeed,” said Julie Spier, city recreation manager, “He didn’t just call for action, he was action. If you needed information or resources for seniors, Ken was the one. He was supportive of recreation – for seniors and youth.”
That he would not be able to continue leading his many projects was clear to him, Gina Six of Cochrane Self-Storage, said last week. She is a friend and fellow volunteer. Tougas made sure to pass the baton on to a trusted co-worker for most of his pet projects.
Many people know him from the annual Toys for Tots program which he organized with the Marine Corps Reserve Foundation. Six said that, at Tougas’ request, she will be stepping in to fill his shoes with the Toys for Tot’s committee in San Jose and with the volunteers in Morgan Hill.
“Toys for Tots will go on,” she said.
ChildSpree, which provides needy children with a shopping trip before school starts, took a big part of Tougas’ time, too.
“Hoo boy, this one is another doozy like Toys for Tots,” Six said. “Ken organizes, gathers volunteers, gets donations, purchases items, hauls tons of stuff around and all so children can start school off in new clothes, shoes, and school supplies, so the less fortunate don’t stand out from the others at the beginning of school and they can be proud of themselves.”
ChildSpree will now be handled by Lew Aebersold and the Kiwanis Club at Ken’s request.
He was also a founding board member of the Community Action Group (CAG) which serves the seniors in Morgan Hill and Gilroy. He was a member of the Morgan Hill Lion’s Club. The Lion’s feed breakfast to the kids each year at the ChildSpree event, among their many other activities.
“The best way to honor him is to continue his pet projects: ChildSpree, Toys for Tots,” said Marie Skinner, friend and fellow volunteer on senior and youth projects.
Tougas worked on the Brown Bag program that distributes groceries to senior shut-ins on fixed incomes. Evelyn Lemburger, Showcase Volunteer of the Year for 2001, has taken over this project.
Tougas was a strong supporter of the John Boccardo Family Living Center in San Martin, transitional housing for families. Volunteers are always needed to tutor the center’s children in computers, English and math, 6-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday., giving them the tools they need to succeed. Call 686-1300, ext. 22 to sign up.
He was a board member for the Morgan Hill Grange Hall, but also the rental agent, janitorial service, repair person, visionary, procurement agent, cook and chief bottle washer, Six said.
Cornerstone, Youth Advisory Committee, Youth Empowered for Success (YES) groups were Tougas-rich. He arranged for youth dances at the Grange.
“ I can tell you the kids had a wonderful time at each one,” Six said, “and we believe Ken footed the bill personally for most of the costs associated with these events.”
Besides caring for young people of his community, Tougas also cared for seniors.
“Ken has consistently looked out for the seniors,” Six said, “all the while I think forgetting that he is one. Ken would arrange for Jesse Nazzal from Betsy’s Restaurant to cook for the seniors on long weekends when the senior nutrition program would be closed for a holiday.
An incomplete list of projects and groups that have benefited from the Tougas Touch includes El Toro Youth Center, MACSA, Vials for Life, Senior Advisory Committee, Downtown Association, Children’s Safety Fair, SHARE program, Second Harvest Food Bank, Council On Aging, FBLA at Live Oak, Croy Fire Relief efforts, many city boards and commissions over the years, Thanksgiving food baskets for needy families, Reach Out, Veteran’s Affairs, Healthy Kids, Retired Senior Volunteers, Senior Legal Assistance, Community Solutions, AARP, Charter School of MH.
“We’re all going to miss him a lot,” said Paulette Aebersold. “He knew how to get things done.”
He also served on the board for the Bridge Counseling Center.
Tougas and his wife Pat Steinbrook moved to Morgan Hill in 1983.
Tougas is survived by his father, who is 92 and lives in San Jose; wife Pat, and his children Scott, who lives in San Jose and Tammy Tougas, a resident of Southern California.
Pat’s daughter Lisa Allman said there was never any distinction made between Ken’s children and Pat’s – they are all one family. The rest of the family includes Lisa, Rhonda Dearing, Dee Capurso and Rod Steinbrook. Ken and Pat’s grandchildren include Jacob, Shannon, Kristi, Brittany and Andrea. Great-grandchildren include Isaac, MaKenna, Mason and Mitchell and Aubree.
Tougas has been retired from the phone company for many years, according to Six. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and was an early advocate and volunteer testing infants for hearing.
• The burial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Oak Hill Cemetery, 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose (east of Hwy 87,).
• A memorial service is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday at First Family Baptist Church, 305 W. Main Ave. at Crest Avenue in Morgan Hill and will be led by Pastor Rod Murcray.
• Cards and condolences may be sent to Mrs. Pat Steinbrook-Tougas, P.O. Box 277, Morgan Hill, CA 95038
• Flowers may be sent to Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose, CA 95125, 297-2447.
And, of course, the best tribute of all would be to volunteer yourself for one of Ken’s favorite projects.
