Thomas Paul Cseplo

Thomas Paul Cseplo obituary, Troy, OH

Thomas Paul Cseplo

Thomas Cseplo Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Sep. 5, 2023.
Thomas Paul Cseplo passed away on July 14, 2023 following a brief illness and stay in hospice care. He was 75 years old.

Tom was born in northeast Ohio on September 19, 1947 and lived most of his life in Geauga County, Ohio. He was the fourth of eight children born to Edward and Elizabeth (nee Jacko) Cseplo. Tom's early years were spent growing up on a small farm. That same farm would later become the family-owned and operated Troy Manufacturing Company, which continues to operate today.

Tom graduated from Burton High School (currently Berkshire High School) in 1965. Following high school, Tom was drafted into the United States Army where he served his country as a radio operator during the Vietnam War. Tom was honorably discharged in 1968 and later awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Upon his return from Vietnam, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Judy (nee Hoover), and welcomed their son, Lon, soon after. In 1972, Tom met and married his second wife, Patricia (nee Rodda), thereby growing his family with two stepchildren, Bill and Michele. In 1975, Tom and Pat welcomed their twin daughters, Marcie and Mandy.

During this same time, Tom was the operating president of Troy Manufacturing Company in Burton, Ohio. Over the years, Troy Manufacturing Company adapted its focus and moved forward into other areas of manufacturing, continuing to expand its base of customers through Tom's leadership.

Expanding upon this need for diversification, Tom began looking for a new machining niche to pursue, and found it in medical machining of orthopedic implants and medical instruments. His relationship with renowned doctors and the medical community became the foundation of Troy Innovative Instruments which Tom founded in the mid-1990s.

Tom started manufacturing medical equipment with a single machine in a garage and grew the business to upwards of 14 machines and a staff of over 50 employees in Middlefield, OH. Tom believed his employees, not the equipment, were the essential part of his operation, stating-and placing on the shop wall-his dictum "If the people don't make the difference, nothing does!"

During this time, Tom also met and married his third wife, Carole (nee Cottrell). He enjoyed the past 15 years traveling back and forth from Ohio to Florida where he and Carole would spend the winters. He also continued to operate and be an integral part of Troy Innovative Instruments, helping to expand the manufacturing capabilities of the company to other orthopedic disciplines and military contracts for the Department of Defense.

Tom leaves behind his wife of 27 years, Carole Cseplo, his children Lon (Joann Toth) Cseplo, Marcie (Patrick) Ganier, Mandy Cseplo, William (Judy) Dornback and Rob (Bonnie) Cottrell. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Tom is survived by his siblings, Jane Young, Robert Cseplo, David (Sandra) Cseplo, Mary (William Ward) Cseplo, Christine Stenzel, Jeanne (Keith Horvath) Cseplo, sister-in-law Kathie Cseplo, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his stepdaughter Mary Michele Ernest, his brother Edward Cseplo, and his parents, Edward and Elizabeth Cseplo.

A Celebration of Life open house will be held at the Troy Community Center in Burton, Ohio, on Sunday, September 24, 2023 from 1pm until 5pm. A military funeral honors and memorial service will begin at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vietnam Veterans of America (https://vva.org/donate/), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html), or the Burton Public Library (https://www.burton.lib.oh.us/index.php/content/donations).

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October 23, 2023

MaryJo Fox posted to the memorial.

October 4, 2023

Clint Brown posted to the memorial.

September 23, 2023

John Geiger posted to the memorial.

MaryJo Fox

October 23, 2023

MaryJo Ryder-Fox
I worked for Tom for many years at Troy Manufacturing. We became close friends with his family, and the Cseplo families living in Geauga County. They were all very kind and generous to my husband, Phil, and me. I enjoyed working in the office with him, his brother David, and father Ed. I send Carole, and the entire family our thoughts and prayers. I know he will be missed by all. May God Bless.

Clint Brown

October 4, 2023

Tom was a phenomenal man. He and his father treated myself and my father with the utmost respect. Always giving always caring. Two wonderful wonderful daughters who I went to school with and was friends with. I regret missing the opportunity to reunite with him when I lived in Palm Springs, work always took me away....I remember getting a call from a classmate who was a deputy, do we know Tom Cseplo, I replied yes Mandy and Marcie's dad, don't pull him over just make sure he gets home..... so he did. Always kind always gracious, a phenomenal man!!! I'm sure he will be missed by all that were blessed enough to know him.
Clint Brown

John Geiger

September 23, 2023

My fondest memories were when my ex-wife and I traveled with Tom and Carole. Several trips to beaches including St. Maarten, Jamaica, and the houseboat trip with 5 other couples when Tom was our Captain for the day. Whether on the beaches or houseboat, Tom was Tom, a leader and good friend to all. He will always be remembered with a smile. Love you Tom!

Bill Cseplo

September 12, 2023

I am one of Tom's cousins and lived at the farm house and worked at Troy Manufacturing in the late 1960's for two summers. I always remember Tom as a friendly, athletic guy and smart when it came to getting things done. We stayed in touch but not as much as I should have. He will be missed.

Frank Nabozny

September 8, 2023

He was an awesome Quarterback and I appreciated catching his passes . He was benched for a younger Quarterback who was not as good as Tom was for accuracy . He was ready to take us to win the Championship our Senior year ! I believe we would have won the Championship had he played our Senior Year !

Linda Betz

September 8, 2023

We will truly miss this lovely person who added so much to the world.
Bob and Linda Betz

Dorrin Birch (aka Doreen Brichacek)

September 7, 2023

Dorrin Birch (aka Doreen Brichacek)

September 7, 2023

Dorrin Birch (aka Doreen Brichacek)

September 7, 2023

I met Tom in fourth grade when my family moved from Cleveland to Troy. In short time we became a pair, boyfriend girlfriend. I was smitten! Every recess Tom would go down to the little "candy room" where they had set up a table with various candy bars to purchase and he would buy a candy bar for me and give it to a fellow classmate (James Payer) to pass on to me. You see, Tom was too shy to do it himself. On occasion, he would write poems and short love notes on ripped pieces of folded-up notebook paper, again to be delivered by his buddy, Jim.
It was in fifth or sixth grade after a school dance that he asked his sidekick, Jim, to ask me if I "wanted to go outside" by the backstop. (This was the way back then to ask if I wanted to kiss.) I did, and there it was on that beautiful fall evening that I got my first kiss. I'll never forget it. Years later, there was a get-together at Troy Elementary School to say goodbye to the old grade school which was being closed. After the event, a few other old Troy classmates and Tom came over my Aunt's house. Tom asked me if I wanted to go for a ride on his beautiful new trike. We breezed down Route 700 and Tom turned into Troy School's parking lot. He pulled up and came to a stop behind the backstop. He crooked his neck around to look at me and asked, smiling, "Do you remember?" Did I remember... did I remember? How ever could I forget!

As time passed, we both grew up and went our separate ways experiencing the joys and pains that life dished out. I didn't see Tom again until a party at my house in Perrysburg, Ohio, following a class reunion. It was there I met the wonderful woman, Carole, who was to become his wife. Tom and I stayed in touch afterward through more ups and downs and managed to plan a wonderful class of '65 picnic the Sunday following our 50th class reunion at Punderson State Park. What a success!
We stayed in touch sporadically via text or phone until 3 weeks before he passed. He said he would see me at my Aunt's memorial in late June if it wasn't for some medical appointments he had to keep for that same time in Florida. He ended his text to me with "love and miss you!"

I love and miss you, too, Tom! I will never forget you... your compassion, strength, abiding faith, gentility, humor and humility... and, it goes without saying, that first kiss.

Little by little we let go of loss,
But never of love.

Marilyn and Tom King

September 7, 2023

Video taping MHS Class of 50th birthday party. Such a wonderful person. He, much to the B.D. committee's surprise provided us with a video of everything he taped. Our deepest condolences. Prayers for all.

Nancy Fabriziana (Long)

September 6, 2023

I remember my older cousin Tommy as a quiet, sweet and very handsome man!! He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him! Love you, Nan

Roger and Karen Compo

September 6, 2023

I wish to express my condolences to my cousin Carole and the Thomas Cseplo family. Me and my wife Karen are very sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Cousin Roger and Karen Compo.

Linda Picton

September 6, 2023

So very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to all.

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October 23, 2023

MaryJo Fox posted to the memorial.

October 4, 2023

Clint Brown posted to the memorial.

September 23, 2023

John Geiger posted to the memorial.