John C. Griffith Sr.

John C. Griffith Sr., born August 21, 1949, passed away at home surrounded by family on January 3, 2025, days after celebrating his 42nd wedding anniversary with the love of his life, Linda. John fought a courageous battle with cancer alongside his late son, and best friend, Ryan. 

Born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, to his loving parents, John L. Griffith and Myrna R. (Davis) Griffith, he spent much of his childhood in Long Run, WV on his grandparents’ farm. His siblings fondly recall him in his aviator hat and bomber jacket with a rifle on his shoulder, performing reconnaissance on Mim and Pop’s farm.

His family moved to Braintree, MA in November 1965, where he attended Braintree High School and was a standout athlete in football and track.

Following in his father’s footsteps, John enlisted with the United States Marine Corps in September, 1968 and was awarded Top Marine at his Parris Island boot camp. He served on the front lines in Vietnam as a rifleman and received two Meritorious Combat Promotions and was the proud recipient of Purple Heart, Combat Action, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign with Device, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame, and National Defense Medals before being honorably discharged as Sargent in August, 1970. A true Marine, he continued his work with veterans throughout his life. 

Upon returning stateside, John attended Stonehill College graduating Cum Laude and went on to Goddard College to earn a Masters Degree in Sociology before becoming a teacher at Braintree High. After years of working in Sales and Safety Training, John combined his experiences and started Occupational Safety Specialists (OSS Corp) in 1996.  John always took great care of his customers, he got to know them personally, and mentored many of them along their own journeys and careers.  Despite expressing his desire to retire for years, he poured his heart and soul into his business until the very end. 

John and Linda (Cummings) Griffith married on December 31, 1982. They bought an old farmhouse in Hanson in 1988, where they spent decades creating a beautiful home and lasting memories for anyone who visited. John loved to fish, hunt, fly kites, play his guitar, sing, and soak up the sun. He took pride in sharing these hobbies — but mostly, he enjoyed the time it gave him with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends. Horses were another true passion; he was known as the horse whisperer for his gift that so few have. 

John was always a great listener, offered the best advice and shared life experiences. He lived a life to love, provide and protect. He was strong in every sense of the word.  He took life’s challenges head on, always putting in the hard work and never backing down.  He had a great sense of humor and loved to joke and laugh and remind us all to keep a sense of humor about life. He taught us to put our heads down and stay the course through tough times, often quoting the Marines: “Improvise, adapt and overcome.” Many of us looked to him as our hero. He might not have been able to fix everything but he sure tried and when he couldn’t he was right by your side holding you up and loving you through it. He gave us all the strength he had. 

John was the devoted father of John and his wife Trisha Griffith of Abington, Jaime and her husband Jason Barry of Whitman, Alycia and her husband Adam Noble of North Attleboro, late son Ryan Griffith, Jenny and her husband Matt Morgan of Hanover, and Keri Kelleher of Hanson. Pops loved his grandchildren John Ryan, Austin, Shayne, Aidan, Landon, Benjamin, Zachary, Colton, Raelynn, Xavier, Lily and Lyla. 

John was the loving brother of Mona K. (Griffith) Solmonte and her late husband Robert of South Yarmouth, Mark S. Griffith and his wife Jacqui (Gornowicz) of Ozark, MO, Mary K. (Griffith) Goes and her late husband John Needham of Buzzards Bay, Gemma (Griffith) Mueller and her husband Robert of Sanford, FL and William C. Griffith and his wife Kathleen (Bond) of Fallston, MD.

Pops, you were an incredible man.  The mark you left here is something many people dream of but never achieve.  We are all truly blessed to have been loved by you.  Rest easy cowboy, we got it from here.  Until we meet again. 

There will be a graveside service on January 31st at 10:15 AM at Bourne National Cemetery.

Post funeral gathering will be held at Camp Kiwanee in Hanson from 1-6 PM for those who would like to visit with family and friends.

Donations can be made to benefit veterans at Wild Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Program in West Bridgewater, MA (www.wildheartstherapeutic.org/giving) or Guitars for Vets (www.guitars4vets.org)