Thomas William Grein

1943-2024

Thomas William Grein, 81, of Whitehall, Mich., a loving and devoted husband and father, raconteur, advocate for the disabled and lifelong journalist, died surrounded by his family on July 2, 2024, due to complications of Post-Polio Syndrome.

Tom was a gifted storyteller with a keen memory and had a wonderful delivery as a public speaker. He enjoyed regaling friends and family with tales of his adventures, or debating perspectives on the latest current events. There never was a party where Tom was not surrounded by people, "holding court," as they would say, as they listened to his tales and he listened to theirs. He was a great observer of life, developed strong opinions about just about everything, and loved debating them. He seemed to have a story or an answer for every occasion. There seemed to never be a day when Tom did not learn something new, and turn it into a great tale.

At age 10, Tom was among the last people in America to contract polio before the creation of the vaccine that went on to save hundreds of millions of lives. Tom said that when he entered a special hospital for children with polio, all four stories of the facility were full of recovering children, but when he left three years later the building was nearly empty. He returned home able to walk only using crutches. He spent much of his career as a journalist using two wooden canes. He transitioned to using a wheelchair, and it opened the world to him. Using a wheelchair enabled him to limit the effects of his disability for decades, and to travel extensively.

Tom graduated from Bay City Central High School in Bay City, Mich., after which he earned his bachelors' degree in journalism from Michigan State (go Spartans!). Tom had a beautiful, rich singing voice and great musical timing, developed through singing in church as a youth. He was a member of the Singing Statesmen at Michigan State, and in 1962 began performing professionally with Dan Dillon and John McIntire as The Burgundy Trio. Widely popular throughout Michigan, the trio toured across the state singing folk songs and other popular works of the day. The trio performed with the U.S.O. and several famous personalities in the early 1960s, and released one album. Tom continued to love music and sing at events throughout his life.

It was at Michigan State where he met the love of his life, Betsy Bogart. Tom's proposal to Betsy "went viral" via an Associated Press photo that was broadcast nationwide, when he spray-painted "Betsy, will you marry me? Tom" on four large bedsheets and hung them on the side of the house. They married in 1966.

One of Tom's greatest joys and achievements in life was raising his three children, Katie, Will, and Molly. He was a kind, caring, funny and loveable father who imparted much wisdom and life lessons to his children, and to his six grandchildren. They knew if they ever needed a piece of advice, a good recipe, or just needed to have a good cry, he was always there for them.

Tom was a lifelong journalist, whether he was actively working as one or continuing to behave like one in retirement. For 18 years, he worked as an editor for Gannett, and then for two other national newspaper organizations. In 1990, Tom and Betsy purchased The Herndon Observer, a community newspaper in Herndon, Va. They expanded The Observer to include editions in Reston and Loudoun County, Va.

During his 15 years as editor and publisher of The Observer, Tom wrote more than 700 columns under the title "Our Town." Appearing each week, and often must-reads for the local residents, Tom shared personal anecdotes, experiences, as well as hard-hitting political or current events perspectives. He ended each of his columns with the phrase, "And that's our town this week."

In 2004, Tom and Betsy retired to Whitehall, Mich., where Betsy had spent her summers since childhood, and lived in a custom and accessible home they designed. In retirement, Tom and Betsy enjoyed several extended trips in Europe and across the U.S. with their dear friends Kitty and Michael Ann of Lewes, England.

Tom continued to write occasional columns for a number of publications and continued to serve the community in a variety of roles. For 10 years, he served on the board of directors of the Disability Network of West Michigan, an organization that advocates for the civil rights of people with disabilities. He helped create accessible trails and pathways in parks, and advocated at the local and state level for disability awareness in public policies and laws.

Tom also worked as a volunteer for the Friends of the White River Light Station and served on the board of directors of the White Lake Community Library.

Tom became a proficient home chef and connoisseur of fine food. He read cookbooks voraciously, and loved to apply what he learned in the kitchen. Tom mastered the art of baking the perfect loaf of bread and roasting the perfect chicken. He used vegetables and herbs grown in his garden for his creations. He took advantage of living in western Michigan by hunting out the best dairies to purchase butter, and the best farms to find fresh eggs, fresh garlic, and other staples. He had a nose for great food, and enjoyed taking family and friends to those select local spots that featured one wonderful dish or another.

Thomas William Grein was born on Feb. 26, 1943 in Bay City, Mich. To Paul Leo and Marion Boulton Grein. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Bogart Grein; his three children, Katherine Grein Moore, William Reitter Grein, and Molly Elizabeth Mentzel; his sons-in-law, Christopher L. Moore, Fredrick Stuart Mentzel, and daughter-in-law Monica Margaret Grein; his six grandchildren, Jackson and his wife Allie Mentzel, Anna Mentzel, Audrey and Charlie Moore, and Tyler and Brady Grein; his brother David and his wife Carol Grein; his sister-in law Jane Christine Kellon Grein; and many nieces and nephews and their children. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Paul Boulton Grein, and Wilfred James Grein and his wife Janny James Grein.

A celebration of Tom's life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the family home at 5780 Oak Tree Lane in Whitehall. A service will take place at 2:30 p.m. Interment will take place at Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall at a later date.

And that's our town this week.

Donations can be made in Tom's honor to: Rotary International Polio Plus Fund https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes/ending-polio

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, White Lake Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com