I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Griff. He was a great teammate and friend. He will be missed by many.

I was saddened to learn of Mark's passing. He was a great teammate and a better human being. 
My thoughts and  prayers are with his family and friends.

Denny Hartman - SJU '76

Dear Griffin Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved son and brother, Mark. It was decades ago that our Blackburn family lived across the street from you. I remember Mark coming home after school and showing off his 1st grade books to me and my twin sister, and trying to teach us how to read those Tip and Mitten stories. Of course he was only a year ahead of us in school then. I ran into Mark at a family wedding in 2009 and we reminisced about those old neighborhood times.  Unbeknownst to me, he lived not too far from me in Blackhoof Township. It was so nice to reconnect with him.  He had such a great smile!  My sincere and heartfelt sympathy to you in the days ahead.

Dear Faye, Mike, Mary, and Mace  and families,
With heartfelt sympathy and kindest thoughts to you, in your sorrow.
God Bless You,

I was saddened to hear of Griff's passing. As a senior mentor to me as a then freshman, he set the example for how to be a teammate, a Johnnie and a winner. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

I share in the loss of a member of the Saint John's University Football family.  Mark was a very good football player but I remember him as a much better man.  He loved SJU and brothers on the team.  God needed a good man in heaven; He picked one of the best.  Paul Osberg SJU 76

I was thankful to have had some time with Mark this past fall on one of those classic football Saturdays at SJU. We reminisced about our time in Collegeville and the paths that we had taken since. Clearly, Mark was aware that his time was short, but you wouldn't have know it from his attitude and demeanor. He was positive and hopeful - a testament to his character and courage.  

I join the Griffin family in mourning Mark's loss. May the Lord grant you the strength to endure his passing.

Rest in Peace Griff

My deepest sympathy for your family.  My prayers are with you.

Tony Tracy

I remember cousin Mark as always kind and always, ALWAYS, so interested in our family and how all our kids were doing.  A tall, dark and handsome man and a perfect gentleman!  Will miss his smile and hugs.
Deb (Hecker) and Larry Axtell

It was truly my pleasure to get to know Mark at SJU. A great leader and great person. May you be comforted to know that there are many of us who share in your loss. May God bless.

 Mark was the kind of man that made those around him want to be a better person.Quick to smile, slow to anger, always dependable; he was a gentleman's gentleman. As a teammate he was smart, strong and willing to face any challenge. I will always regret the opportunities I missed having lost touch with Griff over the years. I am truly grateful to have had time with him these past few months. May his grace be with us all.

Please accept my condolences over the passing of Mark.  He will be missed by all who knew him.  I'm left with many memories of Mark from our school days growing up.  God Bless You and keep you in His Grace.

Our condolences and prayers are with you. Griff was my Dad's best friend. My family loved seeing Griff and I know how much my Dad valued their relationship. Wishing God's care. Sincerely, The Edstroms

Dear Faye, Mike, Mace, Mary and extended family members...We are so very saddened to hear of Mark's passing.  Our brief interactions with him and your entire family have left a warm and lasting impression upon us.  You have a wonderful family, Faye; our deepest condolences go out to you at this time.  May God bless Mark's time on this earth and grant your family comfort, peace and strength at this juncture.
Neil & Colleen Ladsten (Watertown, SD)

My condolences go out to all of Mark's family and friends. Mark was my 1976 SJU football roommate on our road trips and also a Johnnie that played the games of football and life with determination, intensity, and integrity. He was a hard-nosed competitor on the field, but a highly-principled person off the field who was always his own guy. I will always remember the first time that I went over to Mark and Scott's house and Mark said that there was this new rock group that I needed to hear. That rock group was the band, "Boston", and it remains one of my favorite bands to this day. I will always think of you, Mark, whenever I play a "Boston" tune, knowing that you are now peacefully at rest within the glory of God. 
Dorgs

Wishing you God's care in the passing of Mark.

Griff,

Your always kind words; contagious smile and laugh; strong pat on the back and indefatigable positive attitude and approach to living will always live on for us who knew you as a friend and teammate.    God Bless you and your family.

Dear Faye, Mary, Mike and Mace, 
My heart just broke when you called me Faye. I know this has been especially hard for you. Your family has always been special to me from numerous childhood memories to lunch with my Mother and even the occasional phone calls. Mary, we will keep in contact more often now that we are retired. What a beautiful gift you and Ray gave Mark with your loving care. There is no greater kindness. Please know you are all in my prayers, thoughts and hearts always.

   Blessed to be his classmate, blessed to be his friend. One of the most stand up guys I know. Will miss ya brother. RIP Griff.  Bob Langhorst

Dear Mrs. Griffin, Mike, Mary, and Mace,
  I am saddened to hear of Mark's death. It has been a long time since we Blackburns lived across the street from you in West Duluth, but we have always remembered you well.  As a graduate of and one-time teacher at St. John's, I was always proud that Mark went there.  My condolences at this sad time.

Brother Griff, My heart grieves that you are gone from our lives. Thank you for being the best friend a person could ever ask for. Thank you for showing Della and I and our family what true love , hope and dignity really are.

May The LORD bless you and keep you!
May he let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
May he  look upon you kindly and
give you peace

Bless you my friend.  You were one of the best teammates I have ever known.  Thanks for being there for all of us.
Mike Carr SJU '77

RIP old buddy. Going to miss you. I was always proud to tell people when I talked about you, that you played on a national championship team at St Johns. Tell Frenchy and Skip hello. Larry and Dick too. Love ya man!
Trinks!

OBITUARY

Mark Hecker Griffin

April 7, 1955 – December 29, 2015

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