Tommy Grunwell, “The Voice of Frederick,” Dies At 86

Frederick radio has lost one of its most beloved voices. Tommy Grunwell, known to generations of listeners as The Voice of Frederick, passed away June 17 at the age of 86. Grunwell spent nearly three decades waking up Frederick County listeners on WFMD and WFRE. He joined the stations in 1968 and took over mornings on WFMD in 1971 following the retirement of local radio legend Happy Johnny Zufall. In 1993, he moved to sister station WFRE when WFMD adopted its talk format.

A Marine Corps veteran, Grunwell used his radio platform to support countless community causes. He helped found the Maryland Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, raised money for Toys for Tots, cancer research, and numerous local charities, and was active in organizations including Rotary, the Marine Corps League, the American Legion, VFW, AmVets, and youth football programs. His involvement in Frederick extended far beyond the microphone, earning him a reputation as both a broadcaster and community leader.

Grunwell is survived by six children, 15 grandchildren, and numerous extended family members. Visitation will be held June 26 at Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, with a funeral Mass scheduled for June 27 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Frederick. His family says his legacy will be measured not by the years he spent on the air, but by the countless lives he touched throughout nearly six decades in the Frederick community.