Thomas Andrew Grills

Thomas Andrew Grills (Tommy) of Houston, Texas passed away on Easter Sunday April 20, 2025 at the age of 63. He was born on January 15, 1962 in Westerly, R.I. . He grew up In Pawcatuck CT, the second child in the family of six children of John J Grills Jr. and Barbara Ann Grills (nee Kenyon).

Tommy graduated from Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical School in 1980 in Culinary Arts. He briefly attended the University of Utah.

Tommy worked as chef at various local restaurants, most notably Seamen’s Inne in Mystic Ct. He also worked for a time as a manager for Robert Redfords’ Sundance Resort in Utah. Using his self-taught programming skills, he started three successful companies, and developed the first graphical hotel management software package in the industry. In the late 1990’s he worked as the CIO for BV Inspectorate corporation, and concluded his career with Envantage, Inc. where he developed widely-used, commercial analytical chemistry software for the petroleum industry.

Tommy loved music and had a beautiful voice. He sang in several bands, as well as recording and producing music with his bandmates. His mother Barbara encouraged music with all her children, and Tom was always on the spot to sing and harmonize with his brother Jay and sister Allison during many family get togethers. Tommy’s wife Cathy managed the Spread Oaks Ranch in Markham, Texas, and he loved the opportunity to ride horses and work as a cowboy during cattle roundups. He was a great cook, and belonged to many cooking organizations in the Bay City area, including Gourmet Guys and The Grub Rustlers. He was famous for his marinated fried alligator at the annual CamoFest. Tommy and Cathy loved to cook together, and always welcomed family and friends for delicious traditional British Christmas and Boxing Day Dinners at their house every year.

He was preceded in death by his mom, Barbara Ann Grills (nee Kenyon) and father, John J Grills Jr.

Tommy is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years, Catherine Harry-Grills, brothers Jay (Andrea Zaite) and Douglas (Kathryn Leach) Grills, and sisters Jennifer (Jesse) La Torre, Theresa (Anthony) Napolitano, and Allison (Randy Scott Jason) Grills-Jason. He is also survived by his nieces Lauren (Jeremy) Doss and Valerie (Riley Gillis) Grills, Rebecca (Wes Reinhart) Napolitano, Jessica (Kevin Culligan) Napolitano, Nicole La Torre, Evelyn Ann Harry, Florence Blossom Harry and Isabelle Louise Harry, and nephews Joshua La Torre and Seth Edward Harry, as well as his great nieces Skylar Marie Grills, Juniper Rae Gillis, and great-nephews Leo Napolitano and Franklin Napolitano

The family would like to especially thank the nurses and staff of Houston Methodist Debakey Heart Hospital for the care and compassion they showed Tommy in his final days.

Per Tommy’s wishes, there will be no visitation. A celebration of his life will be held in both Houston and Connecticut for family and friends. This is currently being planned and will be announced in the coming weeks.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Tommy’s honor to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice.