NEW MEMBER THOMAS GRACE INTRODUCED TO THE CLUB

   At our weekly meeting on October 16, 2015, Canton Rotarian Bob Myers (sponsor) introduced our newest member, Thomas Grace, to the Rotary Club of Canton.

 

Tom was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  His parents met through Salvation Army youth activities and served as Salvation Army officers in various locations in Ohio, New York, Maine and Connecticut.  Tom graduated from Shaker Heights High School and attended Youngstown State University, and The Salvation Army School for Officer Training, graduating and receiving his commission as a Salvation Army officer in 1992.

 

He met his wife, Debbie, through Salvation Army youth activities also.  They married in 1978 and have three children, Lindsey, Courtney and Tyler and four grandchildren, Tatum, Xavier, Gracie and Delaney.

 

Prior to entering the School for Officer Training, Tom worked as the Director of The Salvation Army Community Center in Dayton, Ohio.  In this capacity, he was responsible for the oversight of numerous programs including Golden Gloves boxing, youth basketball and the development of the Army's first after-school learning center in the Eastern Territory.  Many of the basketball teams under his direction played in national and international tournaments with some of those teams winning international championships.

 

He and Debbie have served as corps officers for The Salvation Army in Wooster, Cleveland, Strongsville and Wadsworth.  They arrived in Canton on July 1st of this year.

 

In the past Tom has been involved extensively in the communities in which they have served through membership in service clubs and participation in community events.  He loves to read, play golf and is an accomplished brass musician.