Francis G. "Red" Griffin, son of Michael Griffin and Nora McCarthy Griffin died peacefully in his Sloatsburg, NY, home on March 23rd after valiantly battling a neuro-degenerative illness for several years.
Born on March 13, 1936 and raised in Bronx, NY, following stints in the U.S. Army, as a commercial fisherman and iron worker Red found his true calling in the New York Fire Department, which he joined in 1960. He served initially in the South Bronx, and over the course of a distinguished career rose to the rank of Battalion Chief, a position in which he served in Manhattan and Harlem for 15 years before retiring in 1998. Red was a founding member of the FDNY Emerald Society Pipes and Drums.
Red was a consummate professional and a serial prankster. His mischievous grin seemed to arrive before the rest of him; always on the verge of erupting into a hilarious story or pulling a prank and struggling to contain the laughter bubbling up behind it. Red was blessed by many loving neighbors, friends and his "brothers" from the FDNY, who were so incredibly supportive to him and Ann Marie during his illness.
As dedicated as he was to the brotherhood of the FDNY, Red's first passion was his family. He was a devoted husband to Ann Marie, his wife of 55 years, and doted on his 3 daughters. He was particularly fond of spending time with his six grandchildren, with whom he spent enjoyable hours working at his tool bench, fishing and hiking with his loyal dogs or just kidding around. Red was also an enthusiastic member of the Red Nose Gun Club and Hunting Camp.
Red is pre-deceased by his sisters, Mary King and Patricia Maeder. He is survived by his wife Ann Marie (nee Smith), daughters Maureen Griffin of Sloatsburg, Jeanie and her husband Nick Huth of Chatham, and Cathy and her husband Mike Eckert of Chatham, and his six grandchildren; Nicky, Mike, Molly, Kara, Griffin and Paddy. He is also survived by his loving in-laws Peter and Maureen Smith and Hugh and Pat McManus and many loving nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the NY Firefighters Burn Center; nyffburncenter.com
