Thomas Paul Cseplo passed away on July 14, 2023, following a brief illness and stay in hospice care. He was 75 years old.
Tom was born in Northeast Ohio on Sept. 19, 1947, and lived most of his life in Geauga County. He was the fourth of eight children born to Edward and Elizabeth (nee Jacko) Cseplo.
Tom’s early years were spent growing up on a small farm. That same farm would later become the family-owned/operated Troy Manufacturing Company, which continues to operate today.
Tom graduated from Burton High School (currently Berkshire High School) in 1965. Following high school, Tom was drafted into the United States Army, where he served his country as a radio operator during the Vietnam War. Tom was honorably discharged in 1968 and later awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Upon his return from Vietnam, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Judy Hoover, and welcomed their son, Lon, soon after. In 1972, Tom met and married his second wife, Patricia (nee Rodda) Smink, thereby growing his family with two step-children, Bill and Michele. In 1975, Tom and Pat welcomed their twin daughters, Marcie and Mandy.
During this same time, Tom was the operating president of Troy Manufacturing Company in Burton. Over the years, Troy Manufacturing Company adapted its focus and moved forward into other areas of manufacturing, continuing to expand its base of customers through Tom’s leadership.
Expanding upon this need for diversification, Tom began looking for a new machining niche to pursue and found it in medical machining of orthopedic implants and medical instruments. His relationship with renowned doctors and the medical community became the foundation of Troy Innovative Instruments, which Tom founded in the mid 1990s.
Tom started manufacturing medical equipment with a single machine in a garage and grew the business to upwards of 14 machines and a staff of over 50 employees in Middlefield. He believed his employees, not the equipment, were the essential part of his operation, stating and placing on the shop wall his dictum: “If the people don’t make the difference, nothing does!”
During this time as well, Tom met and married his third wife, Carole Cottrell. He enjoyed the past 15 years traveling back and forth from Ohio to Florida, where he and Carole would spend the winters. He also continued to operate and be an integral part of Troy Innovative Instruments, helping to expand the manufacturing capabilities of the company to other orthopedic disciplines and military contracts for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Tom leaves behind his wife, Carole, of 27 years; and children Lon (Joann Toth) Cseplo, Marcie (Patrick) Ganier, Mandy Cseplo, William (Judy) Dornback and Rob (Bonnie) Cottrell. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Tom is survived by his siblings Jane Young, Robert Cseplo, David (Sandra) Cseplo, Mary (William Ward) Cseplo, Christine Stenzel, Jeanne (Keith Horvath) Cseplo; sister-in-law, Kathie Cseplo; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Mary Michele Ernest; brother Edward Cseplo; and parents, Edward and Elizabeth (nee Jacko) Cseplo.
A Celebration of Life open house will be held at the Troy Community Center in Troy Township on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, from 1-5 p.m. A military funeral honors and memorial service will begin at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vietnam Veterans of America; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; or Burton Public Library.
Online memories and condolences can be written at legacy.com.
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