Thomas Corbett Grunwell

Thomas “Tommy” Grunwell, 86, passed away peacefully in Frederick on Wednesday, June 17th, a community he proudly called home for more than 58 years.

Known to generations of listeners as the “Voice of Frederick,” Tommy spent three decades as the morning radio personality at local radio stations WFMD and WFRE. He became one of the most recognizable and trusted voices in Frederick County. Through his work on air and his tireless volunteer efforts, he became a beloved community figure whose impact reached far beyond broadcasting.

Tommy was born in Washington, D.C. on June 27, 1939 to Beatrice and Gilbert Grunwell. He was raised in Punta Gorda, Florida and graduated from Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia in 1957.

Tommy proudly served in the United States Marine Corps for four and one-half years. In 1963, he met the love of his life, Jacqueline “Jackie” Gibbons in a bowling alley. When he first laid eyes on her, Tommy boldly predicted he would marry Jackie. He was right. They married in 1964 and moved to Englewood, Florida. After their first two children were born, Jackie had had enough of the Florida heat and “convinced” Tommy to move back to Maryland in 1968, landing in Frederick in 1969. They had four more children in Maryland.

Tommy began working for WFMD-WFRE radio stations in 1968. He aspired to be an on-air personality, but his father-in-law, Jim Gibbons, who owned the stations, reportedly wouldn’t allow him on the air until he got rid of his Florida drawl. Tommy started doing news and sports on WFMD during the morning show of another Frederick radio icon, “Happy Johnny” Zufall. Tommy took over the morning show on WFMD when Zufall retired in 1971. In 1993, Tommy’s morning program moved to sister-station WFRE when WFMD switched to a talk-radio format.

Tommy viewed his platform as both a privilege and a responsibility. For nearly 30 years, he used that platform to highlight and support community organizations and events and to celebrate and help neighbors in need.

Tommy didn’t just talk about fundraisers and community events, he truly believed in giving back to the community that had embraced him. He volunteered countless hours to charitable organizations and causes. He helped found the Maryland Sheriff’s Youth Ranch with then Sheriff and friend, Don Barnes. The ranch was a residential foster care facility in Frederick County that provided a safe home and counseling for at-risk youth. He also travelled all over the state raising funds to support the Ranch’s operation.

Tommy was a founding member of the Frederick chapter of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians. He was active in the American Legion, the AmVets, the VFW, the Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Frederick Elks Lodge. He was also active in the Jaycees, Rotary of Frederick and later Rotary of Carroll Creek. He relished his role as Rotary Sergeant-at-Arms, poking fun of and levying “fines” on members who had been mentioned in the media, usually by him.

Tommy was especially devoted to the Marines, taking the slogan “Once a Marine, Always a Marine” as gospel. He was part of the Shangri-La Detachment of the Marine Corps League, twice serving as Commandant. He became a self-appointed community liaison between Bravo Company, a local Marine Corps Reserve Unit, and the Frederick community. He was a steadfast source of support during their deployments. Tommy also championed Toys for Tots for many years.

Tommy supported and coached youth football in the Frederick Midget Football League and later with TJAY football.

Tommy remained an avid golfer until recent years. He combined his love for golf and his fundraising talents with two separate long-running charity golf tournaments—the Walter Hagen Pro-Am and the Ed Thomas Celebrity golf tournament—which both raised many thousands of dollars for cancer research, the Jeanne Bussard Workshop (now known as The Arc), and other local nonprofit organizations.

Tommy was also a member of St. John’s Catholic Church for many years, serving as a lector in the 1970s and 1980s.

While community was a cornerstone of his life, Tommy’s greatest joy was his family. He instilled in his children and grandchildren the values of integrity, hard work, and service above self.

Tommy is survived by his six children, Michelle (John) Martin; Michael (Gretchen) Grunwell; Kevin (Pam) Grunwell; Karen Burns; Sean (Julie) Grunwell; and Shannon Grunwell. He will be sorely missed by his 15 grandchildren, Ryan and Erin Martin; Georgianna Pisano and Jake and Robie Grunwell; Allison and Cole Grunwell; Norah, Nolan, Ryan, Regan and Rhiannon Burns; Colin and Conor Grunwell; and Declan Grunwell.

Tommy is also survived by his sister, Laura Schafer of Seattle, Washington; his two sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law in Virginia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tommy was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jackie; his parents; his older brother James and twin brother Alfred Grunwell.

Tommy’s family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at Village Crossing assisted living facility, who have kindly and attentively cared for him over the past several years.

Visitation will be on Friday, June 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Keeney and Basford Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church on Saturday, June 27th at noon. Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Tunnels to Towers in honor of Tommy’s lifelong commitment to supporting veterans and first-responders.