James M. Griffin Jr.
– October 24, 2019
James M. Griffin, Jr., 93 years old, died peacefully at his Apollo Beach home Oct. 24, 2019. James was born in Springfield, MA, to James M. Griffin Sr. and Ethel Bassette. James served our great nation as a Marine Corporal, active combat from March 1942 to August 1946 as a sharpshooter and military intelligence in Japan. When World War II ended, James was decorated with four medals. He shipped back to the states from Japan and married Victoria C. Griffin, whom he met at 16 years old. They remained married 65 years until Victoria's passing seven years ago.
James attended evening classes at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rutherford, NJ, earning a bachelor's degree in communications and psychology. By day, he worked for Bell Telephone, Newark, NJ, as a linesman and then in New York City. James also worked at AT&T, Basking Ridge, NJ as a rates and tariff supervisor, retiring in 1983 after 35 years of service.
After selling his Tewksbury, NJ, home, James spent half the year in Pennsylvania where he enjoyed retirement, hunting, fishing, volunteering at church functions and traveling the world with Victoria. The other half of the year, he lived in Apollo Beach.
James is survived by his 91-year-old brother Marine Corporal Robert F. Griffin, Sarasota, FL. James is also survived by his two loving children Robert P. Griffin, Valencia, CA, and Janet Ciardi, Denville, NJ. James will have a military burial and be laid to rest at Sarasota National Cemetery in late November. Arrangements by Zipperer’s Funeral Home.
James attended evening classes at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rutherford, NJ, earning a bachelor's degree in communications and psychology. By day, he worked for Bell Telephone, Newark, NJ, as a linesman and then in New York City. James also worked at AT&T, Basking Ridge, NJ as a rates and tariff supervisor, retiring in 1983 after 35 years of service.
After selling his Tewksbury, NJ, home, James spent half the year in Pennsylvania where he enjoyed retirement, hunting, fishing, volunteering at church functions and traveling the world with Victoria. The other half of the year, he lived in Apollo Beach.
James is survived by his 91-year-old brother Marine Corporal Robert F. Griffin, Sarasota, FL. James is also survived by his two loving children Robert P. Griffin, Valencia, CA, and Janet Ciardi, Denville, NJ. James will have a military burial and be laid to rest at Sarasota National Cemetery in late November. Arrangements by Zipperer’s Funeral Home.