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Thomas Griffiths Obituary
Thomas Eugene Griffiths June 25, 1936 - May 29, 2011
Thomas Eugene Griffiths, a popular radio/TV personality and newspaper executive whose career spanned more than 50 years in East and West-Coast media, passed away last week in California of cancer. He was 74.
Tom was born to Eugene and Therese Griffiths (Adams) on June 25, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio, graduated from Shaw High School and briefly attended Kent State University before entering the U.S Army in 1954. In the late 1950s, Tom became a popular and well-known radio announcer and TV personality in Cleveland, Denver, and Rochester, N.Y. While on assignment for WHEC radio in Rochester, Tom was the first radio reporter on the scene at the Attica Prison Riots for the Mutual Radio Network.
In 1960, Tom married Stephanie Irene Zielinski and in the mid-1970s Tom transitioned from radio to the newspaper promotion business as an executive for the Gannett Company at the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle and later at the Ft. Lauderdale News and Sun-Sentinel. By 1984, Tom and his family moved to the Los Angeles area, where he worked as a senior executive for the Daily News, the Los Angeles Times Syndicate and the Catholic Diocese of Los Angeles.
Tom was also a member and one-time president of the International Newspaper Promotion Association (INPA). Tom also enjoyed acting part-time, and was a voice-over professional who performed in countless radio, TV and movie productions including "Almost Famous," "Pearl Harbor," and "O Brother Where Art Thou." Tom was a Boy Scout leader, avid angler, wood worker, writer and musician who loved Jazz and Big Band arrangements. He also volunteered feeding the homeless people of Ventura County for 17 years.
Tom is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Stephanie Irene Griffiths, and four children: Thomas G. Griffiths (Cheryl), Tracy Ann Griffiths (Gary Straus), Terri Granard (Ryan) and Tamara Griffiths-Krausen (Jared); four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Tom was lovingly laid to rest on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary in Westlake Village. At Tom's request, donations can be made to [email protected] ("Eli's Wheels") - Please see http://www.Ring14.net for details.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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Sponsored by Terri Jean Griffiths.
Tamara
June 7, 2025
I miss you Dad. I see your face everywhere.
Chris Griffiths
June 6, 2025
Tom was like a big brother to me. He was one of the funniest people I ever knew.
Terri Griffiths-Granard
July 2, 2012
You are loved, missed & always remembered...
Connie Sciortino Butera
August 26, 2011
Condolences to the family from a fellow Shaw High Cardinal, class of 1954.
Theresa Griffiths
June 24, 2011
Honestly, THE best dad one could have. I see now how lucky I was to have a father love me, for me. I will love and miss you forever.
Theresa Griffiths
June 24, 2011
You are our Father, forever. Never forgotten. We are grateful. T,T,T,T and our Mother Stephanie make us whole.
Chris Griffiths
June 13, 2011
Tom was a bright spot in our family. I have fond memories of him making our grandmother laugh until tears rolled down her cheeks. He was like a brother to me and I shall miss him greatly.
Kelly Duarte
June 12, 2011
A great friend and neighbor. How I will miss the "Friday Night Lights" at NP stadium without him. How I will miss the day after Thanksgiving as we partnered together in making the neighborhood so very festive. And how I will miss all the other times that we built things
Tammy Griffiths-Krausen
June 12, 2011
He was an amazing man. He taught me so many things--most importantly: how to laugh
Lyn Griffiths
June 12, 2011
Love, and deep sympathy, to all the family. "Cousin Tom" was the funniest man I ever knew; every contact I had with him involved some great burst of laughter. Thanks, Tom, for all the fun and joy you brought into the world. Rest now, without any further pain. We won't forget.
T Granard
June 12, 2011
Forever, Daddy!
Terri Griffiths-Granard
June 12, 2011
I owe you everything I am today. I love you and miss you, dearly.
Dionna White
June 12, 2011
I will miss ur big smile,your infectious laugh, your wonderful sense of humor and you caring heart!!!! Im very sorry I didn't get the chance to say goodbye but I can only hope you know how much I love you and that blood didn't make us family but you never made me feel any different and I thank you for that! I love and miss you forever!!!
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