Thomas Fredrick Grohl

September 21, 1941 – September 5, 2026

Thomas Fredrick "Tom" Grohl, 84, of Warren, Ohio, and formerly of Hudson, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2026, just shy of his 85th birthday. Born on Sunday, September 21, 1941, in Niles, Ohio, Tom was the youngest son of Alois Louis and Ruth Viola (Bonebrake) Grohl.

Tom graduated from Niles McKinley High School in 1959 and earned his bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University in 1963. Soon after, he entered the United States Navy and served with honor as a Lieutenant from 1963 to 1967, stationed in San Diego and deployed throughout the Pacific, including Japan, Vietnam, and Australia. A Vietnam veteran, Tom carried himself with integrity and devotion to his country, and his service remained a source of deep pride throughout his life.

During his Navy years, Tom also discovered the passion that would shape the rest of his life: flying. He earned his pilot’s license in 1967, beginning a lifelong love of aviation that spanned every altitude—from crafting and flying remote‑controlled airplanes on the ground to owning and piloting a succession of single‑engine aircraft, logging thousands of hours over the landscapes of Ohio and Pennsylvania. During his children’s younger years, he also shared his love of sailing with them, spending many weekends together on the family sailboat.

Following his military service, Tom built an extraordinary 40‑year career with Xerox Corporation, where he excelled as a sales and finance professional. Known for his work ethic and loyalty, he became a consistent top performer and frequently earned top‑salesperson honors, before moving into Xerox’s emerging financing business. He formed lifelong friendships with colleagues and clients alike.

In retirement, Tom embraced the pursuits that brought him happiness: cars, golf, and above all, aviation. Flying was more than a hobby for Tom; it was a source of great enjoyment and satisfaction, with his commitment to aviation extending well beyond the cockpit. In recent years, Tom served as a board member and Treasurer of the Ernie Hall Aviation Museum, where his contributions had a lasting impact on the organization. He played a central role in planning the museum’s signature “Wings-n-Wheels” event and initiated its airplane raffle fundraisers, helping to preserve aviation history and nurture a love of piloting for future generations.

Tom’s greatest joy, however, was spending time with his family and friends. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his son, Brian Grohl of Los Angeles, California; his daughter, Sara Grohl, and her husband, Jason Murtha, of Ellicott City, Maryland; the mother of his children, Arlene Pietrouski Grohl of Hudson, Ohio; his niece, Lisa Grohl of Los Angeles, California; his nephew, David Grohl of Los Angeles, California; his step‑grandchildren, Bailey, Riley, and Delaney; and countless friends whom he treasured in his uniquely loyal, humorous, and no‑nonsense way.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Donald and James.

A Memorial Service will be held at Griffin‑Sloas Airfield, 4059 N River Rd NE, Warren, OH 44484, on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ernie Hall Aviation Museum: https://www.erniehallaviationmuseum.org.

Family and friends may visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to Tom's family.