F. “Mike” Tuohy, the second generation furniture maker who helped turn Tuohy Church Furniture into Tuohy Furniture, a highly respected family-run furniture company, died last month and left behind a lasting legacy.
His father, Joseph Tuohy, turned his hobby of making solid wood furniture into the Tuohy Church Furniture company in 1954 and his son, F. Mike Tuohy was called home from college in 1955 to help run the Minnesota-based company.
In 1972, he purchased the company from his father and went from manufacturing furniture for churches to producing high-end office furniture featured in showrooms around the country. His commitment to expanding the company to national prominence prompted him to take flight school lessons, where he became a pilot to make regional sales calls more easily.
Hand-making hardwood furniture imbues one with a deep knowledge and love for the singular beauty of wood in its myriad colors and grain patterns. Joseph passed that deep understanding and love to F. Mike, and from him, it has been passed to his sons, Daniel (Dan) and Michael, who are the CEO and COO, respectively, of the company today.
When F. Mike was asked to reflect on the company’s 70-year history he said, “There are hundreds upon hundreds of people – families, that have woven this story with us. It is humbling to think of all of those faces, all of those people – workers, who drew together and performed so diligently for so many years. This story, is really a story about all of them…all of us.”
Even though the Tuohy story is one of growth, evolution and change there are some very obvious constants. Noteworthy among them are the commitment of the current leaders, Dan and Michael Tuohy, to the employees and clients of the company and to the community of Chatfield, where the company is still located.
Mike Tuohy was about much more than furniture. He took joy in developing and maintaining his country property with walking trails where hikers often would see deer, wild turkey, songbirds, mink, opossum, and many other wildlife animals. His love of animals extended to sheltering dogs and cats. He also was a horse trainer in his youth. His interests were eclectic: beer and wine making, beekeeping and forestry. He was a golfer. He worked in Turkey in the 1980s and he was invited to be a guest at the 2010 Presidential State of the Union Address. He was also a Ski Sweeper at the1999 Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail, Co.
His leadership skills developed early. As a Boy Scout, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Later he became a Boy Scout leader, was on the Boy Scout Foundation and received The Silver Beaver Award.
Among his many business affiliations and leadership roles include President of the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer Association (BIFMA); Minnesota Technology board member; Minnesota Sustainable Development Initiative; Federal Reserve Small Business Advisory Council: Southeastern Minnesota Initiative Fund; President and board member of the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA); Fillmore County Planning and Zoning; and board of the F & M Community Bank.
He was involved in numerous community organizations and was a Chatfield Volunteer Firefighter for more than 20 years. He worked with the Chatfield Center for the Arts; Chatfield Community Choir; Chatfield Irish Tenors; St. Mary’s Church Choir; Rochester Men’s Choir; and performed in Chatfield’s “Western Days” plays where he was named Parade Grand Marshall in 2014. He received the Rochester Area Economic Development R.A.V.E. Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Diocese of Rochester – Winona Bishop’s Medal for his faithful service to his church, and lastly hosting a prison puppy from Can Do Canines.
Mike Tuohy is survived by his wife Gina (Nepper) who he married in July 1999, at the future-site of their new home in Chatfield. As a couple they entertained family and friends in their hilltop home on many occasions, most memorably at Christmas where guests were encouraged to act out the “Twelve Days of Christmas.”
He was immensely proud of his children: Tori (Mark) Smith, Denver, CO; Dan (Terry) Tuohy, Chatfield; Kate (Mike) Williams, Waterloo, IA; and Michael (Margo) Tuohy, Chatfield.
In his role as master craftsman, he custom-built baby cribs for his grandchildren: Cole Graskamp, Keely Graskamp (Bryan) Maxwell, Morgan Tuohy, Jack Tuohy, Grace Williams (Tim) Fereday, Frances Williams, Gage Tuohy and Jett Tuohy. Today, his great-granddaughter Lulu Fereday rests her head at night in one.
Memorials may be given in his name to Chosen Valley Community Foundation, Seasons Hospice, and Can Do Canines.