Obituary of George Griffin George T Griffin Jr, 90, of 165 Aldren Avenue, Jamestown, NY, passed away peacefully Friday, December 14, 2018 at UPMC Chautauqua, Jamestown, NY. While we are deeply saddened by the loss we are comforted by the knowledge that he is again with the love of his life Virginia “Jinny” whom he married on August 29, 1954. A life long resident of this area, he was born December 19, 1927 in Silver Creek, NY, son of the late George T Griffin Sr and Katherine Hucker Griffin.
He spent his childhood working on his family farm, playing sports, camping with his friends and cooking with his mother. George was a graduate of Silver Creek High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Alfred State University.
As a young man, he joined the Army and served as a Military Police Officer. He was stationed out of Fort Bragg. While there, he played football for his base and served in protective motorcades for the President of the United States, Harry S Truman.
George first worked for, then owned Gierston Tool, a company that sold tool and die equipment to manufacturers in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. He sold and retired from Gierston Tool in 1991 to become a full time grandparent to his beloved grandchildren. George was an active member of the community, serving as board member for Moon Brook Country Club, Sportsman Club, Roger Tory Peterson Institute, Jamestown Audubon Society, and the Ellicottville Ski Club.
Of all the organizations that George was involved with, he was the most passionate about his work with the Jamestown YMCA, which he has been a member of for 52 years. He believed the YMCA was one of the anchors of this community and loved that it is a place that strives to serve our entire community. He is the founder of the Cornerstone Club, an endowment that “secures funds for the future, of our youth for tomorrow”.
He served on the Chairmen’s Roundtable and was one of the founders of Battle of the Businesses. He served as a board member and board President before joining the Board of Trustees. He served as the president of the Board of Trustees and continued to serve as Trustee emeritus until his dying day.
He received the Paul B Sullivan Lifetime Service Award and was given “the key” to the YMCA, acknowledging his lifelong contributions. George was passionate about being active. He was an avid skier, runner, tennis player, basketball player, and bike rider.
He played in the noon basketball league and ran many Jamestown loops with his buddies out of the Y. He started skiing at Holiday Valley in 1961 and even took a few runs in 2017. He shared his passion for skiing with his children, grandchildren, and anyone else who was brave enough to follow in his tracks. George and Jinny loved the outdoors and the wonder of nature all around us.
They particularly loved spending time in the Chautauqua Gorge and on the shores of Lake Erie. George had an infectious personality, loved people and people couldn’t help but love him back. His passion and enthusiasm for life were contagious and provided an example of how to live life to the fullest surrounded by those you love.
Surviving are his 2 daughters, Martha (Steve Moore) Griffin of Boulder, CO and Priscilla (David) Menzies of Lakewood NY; his grandchildren who will forever miss him, Erin Menzies (Will) Pluer, Griffin (Tenley Burlingame) Menzies, Allan (Martha Dittoe) Menzies, Rio Moore, Andrew (Lacey Hudgins) Moore, and Lindsay Moore. George was an inspiration to his children and grandchildren, teaching us how to live and love with passion. A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am Saturday, December 22nd, 2018 in Holy Apostles Parish at Ss.
Peter & Paul Catholic Church. The Rev. Dennis W. Mende, pastor, will be celebrant.
Following the service friends and family will be invited to gather at the Jamestown YMCA Teen Center. Friends will be received from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm Friday, December 21st, in the Lind Funeral Home, where a Christian Wake Service will be led by the Rev. Mende at 1:45 p.m. Friday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Jamestown YMCA.
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