Thomas Grossman

FLORENCE - Thomas Grossman, 88, died Thursday, October 29, 2015, in Florence.


Born in Budapest, Hungary on May 1, 1927, Thomas Grossman grew up in the town of Md, in the Tokaj wine region, where he lived until 1944 when his family was taken into the concentration camps during WWII. After his liberation, Thomas reunited with his mother and sisters in Sweden, where he completed his education in Textile Engineering. Thomas immigrated to the US in 1954. In 1959, he married Kerstin Jolfors, formerly of Gteborg, Sweden. The Grossmans lived in
Lynchburg and Roanoke, VA, before moving to Florence in 1968.


He was a member of Congregation Beth Israel.


Thomas was a member and past president of the Florence Sertoma Club, served as chairman of the Sertoma Heart Fund for 14 years, and was instrumental in raising more than $150,000 for Pee Dee Area heart research. He was a past board member of Pee Dee Speech and Hearing, Florence Symphony Orchestra, Florence Area Heart Association, and the SC Council for the Holocaust. He received the Award for Distinguished Services for the Healthcare Profession of the Pee Dee in 1987,
Sertoman of the year 1979-1980, and the American Heart Association Award for Outstanding Service in 1990. Thomas was dedicated to Holocaust education and frequently made presentations and lectures to schools, churches, and civic organizations. An outgoing and charismatic personality, Tom was well known around Florence as a well-dressed gentleman, a wonderful cook and host, a lover of good food, good wine, good jokes, and big band music.


Thomas was preceded in death by his wife Kerstin. He is survived by his daughters, Camilla Grossman of Lexington KY, and Jessica Grossman of Charleston, SC.


A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 1, 2015, at Beth Israel Congregation, 316 Park Avenue, Florence. The family will receive friends following the service at the home of a family friend at 2210 Amberleigh Court, Florence.


In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, donate.ushmm.org/page/contribute, the Alzheimers Association, alz.org/join_the_cause_donate, or to the Beth Israel Congregation.


Waters-Powell Funeral Home is assisting the family of Mr. Grossman.

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Memorial Service

Sunday, November 1, 2015
2:00 PM

Beth Israel Congregation
316 Park Avenue
Florence, South Carolina 29501

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