He was born in Todmorden, Ontario and became a merchant and theatre owner by career.
Tustin was a member of the Napanee, Ontario municipal council for a decade, serving as Mayor in 1934 and 1935.
After his party's identity changed to the Progressive Conservatives, Tustin was re-elected to Parliament in 1949 and 1953.
He lost the Prince Edward—Lennox Progressive Conservative nomination to Clarence Milligan in the buildup to the 1957 federal election.
Tustin died aged 78 at Napanee, Ontario following a lengthy illness.