Martin James "Grif" Griffin

Martin James “Grif” Griffin, 80, the Knoxville Ferroequinologist, passed at Parkwest Medical Center on February 13, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Hendrickson Griffin of Colts Neck, NJ and Laura Lorraine (Crawley) Griffin of Knoxville, TN. He is survived by his only daughter, Laura Lynn Griffin (Alicia Duncan) of Louisville, KY, many Crawley cousins too numerous to name, and his faithful model railroading friends.

Born at Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Neptune, NJ, he grew up in Freehold and, like Bruce Springsteen, graduated from Freehold High School (Class of 1954). He was involved in the Dutch Reform Church in his youth.

He served in the US Army and Reserves. He was involved in Civil Defense and was a Middletown Township Special Reserve Officer. Grif celebrated that he was able to retire at age 51 from New Jersey Bell after 31 years of service. He started his career at Bell as a chauffeur, became a pole lineman, worked inside on the test desk, and ended his career back outside as a subway inspector.

A lifelong railfan and HO scale model railroader, he was a member of the Knoxville Area Model Railroaders. He got interested in trains at the rail yard in Freehold where he would go to watch the steam engines. He was frequently trackside at the Freehold Raceway where he raced his trotters and pacers. He also enjoyed golf, snow-skiing, playing blackjack, and flying Cessna 152’s. One of his most memorable vacations was the five days he spent white water rafting 135 miles down the Green River in Desolation Canyon, UT with his daughter.

Visitation for friends and family will be at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home on Monday, February 15, 2016 from 5:30-7:30 PM with funeral service to follow. In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Pat Summit Foundation, www.patsummitt.org. Arrangements by Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home, 2300 Adair Dr. Condolences may be offered at www.berrylynnhurst.com.