Walter J Griswold

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Native Staten Islander Walter J. Griswold, 80, of West Chester, Ohio, a retired U.S. Postal Service mail carrier, U.S. Air Force veteran and family man, died Feb. 4 in Dayton (Ohio) VA Medical Center Hospice.

Born and raised in Midland Beach, he graduated from McKee High School.

Mr. Griswold then joined the Air Force, and was stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador.

In 1966, after his military discharge, he moved to New Dorp Beach and lived there until losing his home to Hurricane Sandy. He relocated to Ohio to live closer to family.

Mr. Griswold was a USPS mail carrier on the Island for more than 25 years, and was beloved by the people on his route, who often made cookies for him at Christmas in appreciation of his thoughtfulness.

His daughter, Stacy Hillman, recalled sitting in a restaurant with her father after he retired, and he was recognized by a woman who approached the family, saying how Mr. Griswold knew her son was serving in Vietnam, and always rang the bell when a letter had arrived from him, rather than just dropping it in the mailbox, so she would know immediately it was there. She never forgot his kindness, the woman said.

He was a member of the Masons. He also served in the NYPD Auxiliary Police at the Mid-Island's 122nd Precinct in New Dorp, from 1980 to 2008.

Mr. Griswold enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a member of the Eden Falls Hunting and Fishing Club in Forestburgh, N.Y. He also liked sports, painting and, in his later years, golf.

He was generous and giving and loved to help others, family said.

Mr. Griswold cherished his family and spending time with them, especially his grandchildren. He also was fond of being an uncle to his nieces and nephews.

Surviving, along with his daughter, Stacy, are his wife of 48 years, the former Elsa Penrice; his daughter, Kelly Anne Griswold; his brother, John, and three grandchildren.

The funeral will be Saturday from the Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home, Great Kills, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Margaret Mary's R.C. Church, Midland Beach. Arrangements include cremation.