Frank J. Griffin Jr.

Frank was a big man with a big heart and even bigger personality. Some of his escapades are legendary and he will be remembered by many for his kindness and generosity. He married Barbara Murray, the love of his life in December of 1947. Barbara preceded him in death in 2002. He is survived by his two daughters, Patti Griffin of Clearwater, Florida, and Donna Griffin Flynn(Jack) of Newport, RI; his three grandsons: Griffin Flynn(Lauren) of Newport, RI; Sean Flynn(Marjorie)of Fairfield, CT, and Jake Flynn of Orlando, FL. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Jack and Isabelle and many nieces and nephews.

For forty years, Frank owned and operated Church Street Hardware in Wilmington, Massachusetts. He was a popular figure at the store and many came to visit at all hours!! His Friday night poker games in the cellar of the store were very entertaining to all who attended. He was a lover of life, books, and Lawrence Welk.

There are so many stories that could be shared. Frank was great friends with Joe DelTorto. Joe, his wife Helen, and Frank and Barbara spent many weekends in Thomaston, Maine. Joe was a high ranking officer in the Coast Guard. How Frank kept Joe out of trouble with the Coast Guard is anyone’s’ guess!

Frank loved to travel with his buddies. They would play poker on Friday nights in the basement of the store. Within hours, they would be in NYC or Philadelphia! Frank would kill himself laughing as his cronies called their wives. Needless to say, Barbara was working in the store.

Frank loved to prank. He had his sister-in-law steal a police cruiser and drive it to his house and hide it in the garage. Such fun! He also had partners in crime when he threw cherry bombs in people’s yards. From his telling of the story, he had the police worried----they were ready to call the FBI. They were known as the Wilmington Cherry Bombers!!

Church Street Hardware was also a combination liquor store. All of the town and municipal employees came in for all their work needs during the day. After work, they came in for a beer in the “back room”. There was always a large crowd. If one wanted the latest gossip (unfortunate sometimes for his two daughters), you could always get the low down at Church Street Hardware.

Frank was a former Commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He loved the ocean and boats. He had two boats named Toots, which was his mothers’ nickname. A few of his other boats were named Sweety Face, after his wife Barbara. He was a member of the Lions Club, The Knights of Columbus, and the Elks in Massachusetts as well as Florida. He was also a member of Espiritu Santo Catholic Church for many years.

There will be a celebration of Frank’s life on August 17 at Sylvan Abbey at 3:00. Sylvan is located on Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, Florida. A small reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project.

At a later date, there will be a grave side service and reception in Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington, Massachusetts.

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Frank Griffin, 87, of Clearwater, Florida passed away peacefully on Monday, August 10, 2015. Frank was born in Medford, Massachusetts on October 30, 1929, to Frank and Elizabeth (Betty) Griffin.

Frank was a big man with a big heart and even bigger personality. Some of his escapades are legendary and he will be remembered by many for his kindness and generosity. He married Barbara Murray, the love of his life in December of 1947. Barbara preceded him in death in 2002. He is survived by his two daughters, Patti Griffin of Clearwater, Florida, and Donna Griffin Flynn(Jack) of Newport, RI; his three grandsons: Griffin Flynn(Lauren) of Newport, RI; Sean Flynn(Marjorie)of Fairfield, CT, and Jake Flynn of Orlando, FL. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Jack and Isabelle and many nieces and nephews

For forty years, Frank owned and operated Church Street Hardware in Wilmington, Massachusetts. He was a popular figure at the store and many came to visit at all hours!! His Friday night poker games in the cellar of the store were very entertaining to all who attended. He was a lover of life, books, and Lawrence Welk.

There are so many stories that could be shared. Frank was great friends with Joe DelTorto. Joe, his wife Helen, and Frank and Barbara spent many weekends in Thomaston, Maine. Joe was a high ranking officer in the Coast Guard. How Frank kept Joe out of trouble with the Coast Guard is anyone’s’ guess!

Frank loved to travel with his buddies. They would play poker on Friday nights in the basement of the store. Within hours, they would be in NYC or Philadelphia! Frank would kill himself laughing as his cronies called their wives. Needless to say, Barbara was working in the store.

Frank loved to prank. He had his sister-in-law steal a police cruiser and drive it to his house and hide it in the garage. Such fun! He also had partners in crime when he threw cherry bombs in people’s yards. From his telling of the story, he had the police worried----they were ready to call the FBI. They were known as the Wilmington Cherry Bombers!!

Church Street Hardware was also a combination liquor store. All of the town and municipal employees came in for all their work needs during the day. After work, they came in for a beer in the “back room”. There was always a large crowd. If one wanted the latest gossip (unfortunate sometimes for his two daughters), you could always get the low down at Church Street Hardware.

Frank was a former Commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He loved the ocean and boats. He had two boats named Toots, which was his mothers’ nickname. A few of his other boats were named Sweety Face, after his wife Barbara. He was a member of the Lions Club, The Knights of Columbus, and the Elks in Massachusetts as well as Florida. He was also a member of Espiritu Santo Catholic Church for many years.

There will be a celebration of Frank’s life on August 17 at Sylvan Abbey at 3:00. Sylvan is located on Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, Florida. A small reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project.

At a later date, there will be a grave side service and reception in Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington, Massachusetts.