Thomas Robert Grimm

January 13, 1946 – March 15, 2025

Born in Morristown, NJ

Tom is survived by his wife of 61 years Teresa, 3 children: Wendy T. Sullivan (Dave), Karl E. Grimm (Lynn), Jamie M. Polk, 3 granddaughters: Dianna M. Frazier (Evan), Kathryn N. Manning, Zoey M. Gross, 2 great-grandchildren: Trevor M. Lucas, Eleanor G. Frazier; his brother Joseph E. Grimm, and sister Barbara Fell.

Tom lived a life full of activity, pursuit of excellence, and pride in his accomplishments and the accomplishments of others. He sought positions of responsibility and challenged himself and others to deliver their best. He valued the strength of individual effort and the power of teamwork. He believed one should work hard and play hard.

In an early position of responsibility, Tom served as an Alter boy for Father O’Hare at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church. Like his father, he later achieved the rank of Knighthood in the Knights of Columbus.

His working career spanned many of the United States space program milestones beginning with Gemini III (the third manned space mission of USA) and continuing through the entire Apollo Program (all lunar landings), and into the Shuttle program. He traveled to Edwards Air Force Base in California for the first shuttle landing as part of the vehicle recovery team to prepare the shuttle vehicle for return trip to Kennedy Space Center. Continuing through the Shuttle program, Tom’s management skills and pursuit of excellence were instrumental in the development and implementation of procedures for repairing and preparing the shuttle vehicles for re-use between missions. He retired from the program as a Senior Manager, Space Operations.

Between the end of the Apollo program and the beginning of Space Shuttle, Tom worked as a carpenter in residential construction building over 1000 homes in Orlando and Palm Coast. After retiring from the space programs Tom occasionally engaged in additional employment. He worked making residential roof repairs and replacements and later with the North Brevard Parks and Recreation in the maintenance department performing upkeep of our county’s park. He even donned the brown uniform to deliver parcels for UPS.

Tom began his participation in athletics at an early age playing youth baseball. Later, he became a multi-sport athlete in high school and continued lifelong passion for athletics. Some of his favorite sports activities include softball, golf, running, bicycling, snow skiing, and fishing. He also coached little league and soccer. As a runner, Tom felt particularly honored and proud to be selected to represent his community as a torch bearer in the 1996 Olympic torch-relay on a segment of the tour through Orlando. He is also a two-time finisher of the Disney Marathon. His softball career ranged from community recreational leagues to traveling softball teams which played in tournaments around Florida and national tournaments such as the Senior games in Utah. He golfed with his son, his father, his dentist and his friends. He played in league competitions over many seasons. His enthusiasm for long-distance bicycling took him across Florida several times and into other states. Some notable rides include the Seattle to Portland ride, the Bicycle Tour of Colorado, and a 1,200-mile tandem bicycle ride with wife, Teresa, from their home in central Florida to a rally in Virginia.

Tom also had fun. When the city of Titusville celebrated its centennial, Tom played one of the Keystone Cops who made mock arrests of town notables, including the mayor, who were not adequately getting into the festive spirit. He was as quick to clown with the mascot of a professional sports team as he was to meet the athletes. And, for a laugh, Tom was able to make admirable impressions of his favorite animated characters (Goofy on water skis, or perhaps Foghorn Leghorn from Loony Tunes).

Tom was a brother, husband and father. He coached the kids, supported his teammates and mentored his employees. In everything, he did his best, strived to do better and asked everyone else to do the same. He loved and protected his family, and he contributed to his community. Tom’s was a life well-lived and we shall miss him.Celebration of life to be held at 7355 Turkey Point Drive Titusville fl, 32780 on Saturday March 22nd from 1pm-3pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your local animal shelter, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Alzheimer's Association, Brevard Zoo, or your favorite charity.