Saturday, September 6, 2008

Fred Tod Passes Away

Fred and David Tod visiting the Tod Engine Heritage Park in 2005




YOUNGSTOWN – Fred Tod Jr., a descendent of one of the founding families of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, died at home on Sept. 3, at age 90.Mr. Tod was born at home, in Youngstown, Ohio, on May 2, 1918 to Fred Tod Sr. and Marguerite Hubbard Tod.He was a great-grandson of David Tod, the famous Civil War Governor of Ohio, and a grandson of William Tod, who helped develop the iron and steel industry in the Mahoning Valley.Mr. Tod graduated from Choate Preparatory School in Wallingford, Conn. and Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he served for three years, and was scheduled for assignment to the Pacific when WWII ended. He joined the George O. Bruce Insurance Agency in Youngstown, and along with the late Walter E. Meub Jr., bought the firm in 1952, from which he retired in 1978.Over the years, he served as president of the Tod Foundation, was a trustee of the Youngstown Foundation, was on the board of the Butler Institute of American Art, was a member of the Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, and was a vice president of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society. He also served as a trustee and president of the Tod Homestead Cemetery Association, was a director and vice president of the Stambaugh Thompson Company, and was a director of both the Mahoning National Bank and the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company. He was a president and trustee of the Youngstown Hospital Association (nka) Forum Health. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Girard Historical Society.He was a member of the Rolling Club, Ligonier, Pa. During the winters, he and his wife spent time in Florida on North Key Largo, where they were members of the Ocean Reef Club, the Card Sound Golf Club, and the Key Largo Anglers Club. He was an avid fisherman and golfer and was club champion at the Youngstown Country Club in 1947, where he maintained a near scratch handicap. He and his wife were active participants in the “People to People” Cultural Exchange Golf Program, playing golf in 17 countries and at six of the top ten rated golf courses in the world.He also enjoyed skeet shooting, skin diving, and was an expert wood worker. He traveled extensively throughout the world with his family and friends.Mr. Tod is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nancy Brockett Tod; his three surviving children, Dorothy Tod of Warren, Vt., Nancy (Thom) McFadden of Woodland Hills, Calif. and Sallie (Paul) Dutton of Youngstown, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Kacie Wick (Joel) Beck of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Benjamin Cheney of Montpelier, Vt., Jessica Koff of Boston, Mass., Andrew Koff of Burlington, Vt., James McFadden, Tyler McFadden and Will McFadden, all of Los Angeles, Calif., Erika Carlson (Jason) Turner of Atlanta, Ga. and Emily Carlson of Chicago, Ill.; and two great-granddaughters, Abigail Grace Beck and Lucy Elizabeth Beck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. He is also survived by his brother, David (Elizabeth) Tod of Youngstown, Ohio.Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Marguerite Koff; and three sisters, Marguerite Owsley, Sallie Ketcham and Katherine Johnstone.There will be a funeral service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Youngstown, Ohio, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, preceded by calling hours at 10 a.m.Mr. Tod will be interred at the Tod Homestead Cemetery in Youngstown, Ohio.The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Youngstown, Ohio.Arrangements are being handled by the Shriver-Allison-Courtley-Weller-King Funeral Home.

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