Obituary of Ronald J Griffin

Ronald J. Griffin, 63, passed away after a very brief illness at Faxton-St. Luke's Hospital on May 18, 2010. After moving to Clinton, from Utica, Ron met "the girl next door" who would be his wife, Barbara Ann "Kittie" (Gorton). They were married July 12, 1968, a year after Ron returned from Vietnam. Their union as man and wife lasted 41 years, their friendship 48 years, and their love forever. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Tammy in 1970 and Melissa in 1973. Ron lived in Utica for the first years of his life and received his education at St. Patrick's Catholic School, UFA, and graduated from Clinton Central High School in 1965. Ronald then enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged August 8, 1968. Ron went on to join the National Guard and graduate from the Empire State Military Academy, NYARNG at Camp Smith as a SP4. He was then honorably discharged as a Sergeant E-5 in 1978. He spent many years working as a grounds man at Hamilton College. Ronald loved to be outside, hunting and fishing in the Adirondacks, especially with his grandsons. These four boys were the breath and soul of Grandpa, he loved them deeper every day. He was also a proud member if the NRA as well as an instructor for the NRA. A man of many talents, Ron was nicknamed, "Mr. Fixit" by his father-in-law, and was also called "MacGyver" due to the gadgets and tools he would carry. Ron is survived by his wife Barbara, his two daughters and sons-in-law Tammy (Princess) and John Hanrahan and Melissa (Punky) and Matt Greene; his four beautiful grandsons, Joshua, Christopher, and Matthew Hanrahan, and Robert Greene; his brother-in-law William (Bill) and his wife Sue Gorton; many nieces and nephews; a very special cousin Lillian Pierce and his good friends Jim and Ann Marie Jenkins. Ron and Jim spent many years hunting together in McKeever. Ronald is preceded by his parents and in-laws, Donald and Hazel Gorton. Funeral services will be held at 10am Monday, May 24, 2010 at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., 35 College St., Clinton. Friends are invited to call Sunday from 5-7pm. Burial with Military Honors will be held at Sunset Hill Cemetery, Clinton In lieu of flowers, Ron would like donations to be made to the Rome Humane Society, where he adopted his buddy "Tigger", PO Box 4572, Rome, NY 13442. The family thanks the doctors and nurses at St. Lukes Emergency Dept., especially Les, for their care and concern.