John V Griffin's Obituary
John Vincent Griffin, 75, passed away after a very brief illness, on October 19, 2022 in St. Augustine, Florida.
The world is a little less bright today. A little less fun. The air seems different somehow and the ground beneath our feet has shifted. He was just that kind of man. For those that knew and loved him – and there are multitudes – John was a source of joy, wisdom, humor, and kindness. He drew his strength from his faith (Isaiah 1:18-19 and Romans 8:28-30 offering particular guidance) and always from his relationship with his “beautiful bride, Annie.” John and Ann met in high school and for the past 53 years have built a life filled with friendship, family, travel, and faithful service to others. A love story for the ages.
Born December 7, 1946, in Forest Hills, New York, John was the oldest child of John Griffin and Lorraine Charbonneau Griffin. He attended St. John's Preparatory before attending St. Francis College where he received his bachelor degree in English and Economics. He married Ann Malone on August 23, 1969. After a brief stint as a fifth grade teacher, he took a job with UPS. While he was only with the company for a few years, it was his work with them that prompted the young family’s move to Lubbock, Texas.
It was in Lubbock that John and Ann truly discovered their faith and found their life’s purpose – to be servants and teachers in Christ’s name. Separately and together they’ve taught Sunday school, mentored through bible study, and held positions of leadership within the many churches they’ve called home – from Lubbock, TX to Albuquerque, NM and from Orlando, FL to Des Moines, IA. John’s profession as a corporate human resources executive was the vehicle for the family’s travels, but if you asked, he would tell you that God’s hand was pointing the way. He and his Annie were simply going where they were called. And the truth is, wherever they went, they made a home. And the friends they made, they kept – even after they moved, even after many years.
John specifically would dive deep into a place’s history, traditions, culture, and without fail, the sports teams. While he never abandoned his beloved Yankees and Giants, he happily wore the colors of his adopted “hometown” colleges, pro teams and even local high schools. He liked to play, too. Throughout adulthood he played softball on the church team(s), and then in later life discovered (and became obsessed with) golf.
One of his great gifts was his curiosity, his incredible memory, and his keen interest in… well, everything. He remembered people, places and obscure little facts. His passion for knowledge and information drove him to constant research and learning – from the most important life and Biblical knowledge to languages and even the smallest weather details. As many knew, his home was like a meteorological center and a museum all wrapped up in one.
At least half of John’s sentences started with, “Did you know…?” He was Google before Google was Google (or for those who knew him when: “Rand McNally”) and he LOVED sharing what he knew. The thing is, you couldn’t help leaning in to listen, because every tidbit, every fact was accompanied by an anecdote from history or a funny aside that embedded the knowledge in your head, too. Not that he didn’t repeat himself. We would say, “Dad, we’ve already heard this story!” And he would say, “Well, you’re going to hear it again!” We really never minded.
John will be missed by many, but our family will never be the same or whole again. We’re grateful for the countless, cherished memories filled with his special brand of love and laughter, and equally at a loss for how to do life without him from here on out.
He is preceded in death by his parents John and Lorraine Griffin, and his sister Nancy Griffin Wecker.
He leaves behind his wife of 53 years Ann Malone Griffin and his three daughters Corinne Griffin Adamkiewicz (Ryan), Pamela Griffin Reese (Derek) and Allyson Griffin Grubisich (Matthew), his brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Mary Griffin. Together John and Ann had eight grandchildren; Cody, Kendall, Bailey, Emma, Dean, Griffin, Boden and Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, we respectfully request that donations be made to an organization for which he and Ann have a great passion: Foundation Pierre Smith Mondelus.
Foundationpsm.org or 117 Pinehurst Pointe Drive, St Augustine, FL 32092
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