The leader of our band, James J. Griffin, known to all as Jimmy, transitioned to peace and God’s care on May 20, 2020 at age 88. Jimmy was born in Brookline, MA on April 5, 1932 the third child of James M. Griffin and Catherine (Concannon) Griffin of Galway, Ireland.
Jimmy grew up on what is known as the Farm in Brookline Village where at a very early age he shared a special and loving bond with his father over the love of music and song. This love was a passion for Jimmy his entire life and he passed it on to his first son Michael.
Between father and son, they inspired The Griffin’s, to include Michael and four of his siblings, who over the 60’s and 70’s toured New England with their version of Irish and American folk music and their Dad’s motto We’ll Make the Rafters Roar! He was a self-taught and accomplished Irish accordion player and balladeer who loved to break out the squeeze box and regale all.
Jimmy’s love of his family was his pride and joy and together with his wife and soul mate of 67 years, Kathleen (Murray) raised eight children. He was an exceptional Dad to his children and very early on instilled a sense of limitless optimism and opportunity. He encouraged always and disciplined rarely, always being sure to protect the spirit in each of his children.
As a young man with a growing family, Jimmy enrolled in Northeastern University’s engineering program. He studied at night to become a Civil Engineer and started his career with the US Army Corps of Engineers. He then went on to become a Supervisor for the Town of Brookline’s Engineering Department. His attention to detail in drafting survey plans is legendary. As he took his family of ten on long rides in his red VW bus he took immense pride in pointing out the many projects he helped bring to life in Brookline and surrounding cities and towns.
Jimmy retired in 1977 and he, Kathy and family moved to Cape Cod (Centerville, MA), where Jimmy enrolled at the University of Massachusetts and went on to get his Bachelor of Arts in English. He was a gifted writer and was very fond of writing poetry.
Jimmy’s compass for justice was set at true North and he didn’t miss an opportunity, both early and late in life, to express his point of view and participate in remedying injustice. He was politically active and a lifelong Democrat serving as a Town Meeting Member in his home town of Brookline for many years.
He had many sayings he imparted daily to his family but perhaps the one that captures best the man and father was, “I love you and I’m proud of you…in that order”.
Sobriety was also a very important part of Jimmy’s life. He was very, very active in Alcoholics Anonymous in greater Boston and on the Cape for over sixty years. He sponsored hundreds of people in the AA program and helped thousands through their sobriety journey.
He was Papa to his many grandchildren and great grandchildren and shared his love of music with all of them. He honored his father’s last wish to keep the Irish music going. Papa made the rafters roar!
Jimmy leaves behind his loving family; wife Kathleen (Murray) Griffin; children Maureen A. Griffin and Michael Putnam of Sudbury, MA; the late Michael J. Griffin of Centerville, MA; Kevin J. Griffin and partner Bonnie Perkins of Merrimack, MA; James M. and Carolynn Griffin of Framingham, MA; Sean F. and Lizbeth Griffin of Osterville, MA; Katie Griffin McIntyre of Brookline, MA and the late Jeff McIntyre; Karen M. Griffin and Ben Ghamami of White Plains, NY; Liam K. and Amy Griffin of San Clemente, CA; his grandchildren Conor Griffin, Alex Putnam, Kyle Griffin, Emily Griffin, Griffin McIntyre, and his wife Haley, Seamus Griffin and his wife Michele, Nathaniel Putnam, McCall McIntyre, Sean Griffin and his wife Carolina, Keira McIntyre, Bridget Griffin, Taylor Beech, Tucker McIntyre, Brianna Griffin, Emma Griffin, Addison Griffin, Liam Griffin, Ryan Everett and Sean Ghamami; his great-grandchildren Declan Griffin and Caelyn Griffin and his loving sister Mary Prendergast and numerous nieces and nephews. Jimmy will join his son, Michael J. Griffin, together with his parents and brothers Michael, William and Kevin in Eternal Life.
Due to public health concerns, there will be a private family burial. A Celebration of Life Service will be announced at a later date. For online condolences, please visit www.doanebealamehyannis.com.
Jimmy acquired COVID-19 while in the care of Cape Regency in Centerville, MA.
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