Thomas J Strickfaden

Thomas J. Strickfaden of Mason, Ohio passed away peacefully on September 19, 2024 at the age of 77. He was born October 16, 1946 in Sandusky, Ohio to Joseph L. Strickfaden Jr. and Geraldine E. (nee Mack) Strickfaden.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years Pamela (nee Nahrup) Strickfaden. Together, Tom and Pam built a life filled with love, family and devoted commitment. Tom is survived by his much-loved children Scott (Kimberlee) Strickfaden, Brian (Carolyn) Strickfaden, Jeffrey Strickfaden, Christine Hotze (Andy) Swallow and Susan Hotze (Quinn) Vance. Tom is also survived by his cherished grandchildren Kylee and Lucas Strickfaden, Landon and Jackson Strickfaden, Joseph Strickfaden, Brady, Davis and Alex Swallow, Josh (Katie) Hotze and Lydia Vance, along with his adored great-grandchildren Aiden, Ava, Isabell and Cooper Thomas Hotze. Tom leaves behind his dearest sisters Dona Ehrhardt and Ann Groff and many nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Carol, his brother-in-law Leon Groff, and his sister-in-law Kate (nee Nahrup) Storch, whose memories he carried with him always.

Tom’s genuine warmth, friendliness and outgoing personality drew everyone he met to him.  He liked and enjoyed people and as a result amassed so many valued friends throughout his life. In addition to his family, another great passion of Tom’s was the game of golf. He enjoyed the sport, the camaraderie of the game and the friends he met on the many courses he played. He studied the never-ending challenges of the greens and especially savored the “hole in one” he sank a couple years ago.  Tom shared his love of golf with his kids and grandkids, cherishing those memories and engendering in some his same life-long passion for the game.  Sitting on his patio overlooking the 4th fairway of the Mason Grizzly Golf Course was the perfect happy place for him.

Tom was a 1964 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Sandusky, and graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in horticulture.  He became his family’s singular expert on all things’ flora. He loved and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and advising his sons and daughters and grandchildren on which trees to plant where, how to prune, what watering regimen works for certain flowers and how best to landscape their homes. He loved working together with Pam each year to create their beautifully landscaped patio garden.

Tom’s life-long interest in landscaping began at Strickfaden’s Garden Center, his family’s business in Sandusky Ohio.  After graduating from MSU, Tom put his horticulture degree to work in his family’s business.  Tom’s ingenuity eventually encouraged Strickfaden’s to expand to year-round with what would become a regionally renown Christmas Store. Tom’s creativity led him to also found Santa’s Choice, one of the original U.S. companies to import authentic blown-glass Christmas ornaments from Germany. Tom eventually went on to represent lawn and garden manufacturer’s products to growers and large retailers throughout the region.  In retirement, Tom’s early retailing roots led him to join the part-time JCPenney’s team, a job and people he loved.  Always looking for new ways to enjoy his passion for golf, Tom worked the last few years as a Starter with the City of Mason’s Grizzly Golf Course.

Tom was a loyal alum and a true green & white fan of Michigan State University.  Beyond the education and career path MSU bestowed on Tom, one event proved to be life-impacting, his pledge to Sigma Chi Fraternity and the brotherhood of a lifetime he gained.  Sigma Chi’s purpose is to promote friendship, justice and learning.  Tom embraced those ideals.  He loved his brothers and remained close to them always. They talked often, met whenever possible and shared the happy days, sad days, successes and challenges they each experienced along the way of life.

Tom’s life was filled with love, laughter and friendship. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him, and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will carry his legacy on into the future.

A visitation to celebrate Tom’s life will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, located at 8815 E. Kemper Road, Cincinnati OH 45249.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 p.m.  A reception will immediately follow Mass, where family and friends will come together to celebrate the life Tom lived.

A Memorial Service will also take place on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E Perkins Ave. Sandusky, OH 44870 with a Visitation and Celebration of Tom’s Life following.

In honor of Tom’s life, memorial contributions may be made to Sandusky Central Catholic Schools, 410 W. Jefferson St. Sandusky, OH 44870 or to the First Tee Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky at www.firstteegcnky.org.