Alfred Francis Griffin of Southport, North Carolina passed away suddenly on Saturday April 27. He was 84 years old.
Al was born in Oyster Bay, New York, the son of Alfred Ludlam Griffin and Helena Walsh. At age four, his father died, leaving Helena to care for Al and his younger sister Phyliss. Following the death of his mother in his late teens, Al eventually enlisted in the army and was stationed at a base near Frankfurt, Germany, where he served for a time alongside the King, Elvis Presley. After his discharge from the army, Al enrolled at the State University of New York at Farmingdale and later embarked on a career in the graphic art field in New York City.
During his time in Germany, Al maintained a close correspondence with Eileen Carroll, an elementary school teacher who resided in East Norwich, one town over from his childhood home in Oyster Bay. They married after his return to the states, settling in the sleepy Long Island community of Syosset, New York, and raising four sons. An avid sports fan, Al generously devoted his time to coaching Little League baseball, basketball, and soccer. After beating a struggle with alcohol dependence in 1979, he remained a regular attendee at meetings of the local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous, which provided a foundation of friendship and support throughout his life.
A love of the ocean and beaches—a treasured memory was a trip to Maui, Hawaii with Eileen to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary—led Al to settle in Southport, North Carolina upon retirement. After Eileen’s untimely death in 2011, he chose to remain in Southport to be close to his beloved ocean. Never one to sit still at home long (and no fan of golf), he kept himself busy with part-time jobs, movie-going, and volunteering at a local hospice, where his friendly, outgoing personality proved a considerable asset.
Al is survived by four sons and six grandchildren: Sean (Nicole) and their daughter, Juliette; Al and his daughters Rae and Mia; Chris and his son Zoye; and Kevin (Lee Anne) and their sons AJ and Ryan.
Al was preceded in death by his sister Phyliss Niece.
Private services will be held by the family at a future date on Long Island, NY.
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