1953 - 2021
Visitation
August 9, 20213:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Dolan Funeral Home
Funeral
August 10, 20219:30 A.M
Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Merrimack, NH
Merrimack, New Hampshire – Joseph R. Griffin, 67, passed away Friday evening July 30, 2021, surrounded by his loving family at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
Joseph (Joe) Griffin was a family man, a lifelong educator, and friend to all. He was known for his signature Boston Red Sox cap and his yellow GLTECH Polo, and his warm smile and demeanor.
Born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, Highlands Neighborhood, December 25, 1953, the son of the late Joseph Griffin and the late Patricia Griffin, the middle child of five children, he attended St. Margaret’s Elementary School in Lowell, was a Bishop Guertin graduate, and graduated from Southern Vermont College with a Bachelor’s Degree in English in December 1977, where he pitched for their Mountaineers Baseball Team.
Joseph was a loving and devoted husband, proud and affectionate father, and a kindhearted brother and uncle. Joseph dedicated his life to his family and was proud of his Irish heritage. He embodied the ideals of core family values and was key to keeping his large extended family connected and involved in each other’s lives, despite being separated by distance.
Joe’s pride and joy was his adored wife of 33 years, Maureen. Joe met his wife at GLTECH. They fell in love and were married while living in Lowell. They moved north to Merrimack, NH where they built a tight-knit family of four with their sons Patrick and Conor. As the chef of the house, he always made sure that there was a hearty family dinner each night, he was always last to serve himself. After dinner, he could be found answering each question on the night’s episode of Jeopardy, discussing his latest read with children, enjoying some classic Rock and Roll, or completing his daily crossword puzzle from the Lowell Sun.
Joseph was a devoted Marketing Education Teacher of Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical High School (GLTECH) in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, where his students knew him as Mr. G. He retired from his passion of teaching in 2018 after a 35-year career. Joe loved his students and considered it an honor to not just be their mentor, but also to remain friends after graduation. In retirement, he returned to substitute teach and connected with his students on Facebook seeing the lives they built after High School. Over the years, Joseph was recognized on numerous occasions for excellence in teaching by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Joseph extended his educator role onto the diamond and gridiron of his sons’ baseball and football games. Over the years he was a head coach, assistant coach, a member of the chain gang, and equipment manager, and was committed to seeing each practice and game he could for his sons. Through countless practices and games, he built lasting friendships with the other families on the sidelines.
Joe was at heart an adventurer who appreciated and sought the road less traveled. Joseph embodied the concept: “Those who wander are never truly lost”. He loved long car rides with his dog Murphy, camping, vacation and trips with his family, and exploring nature and wildlife. Joe appreciated the beauty of the night sky, meteor showers, and visible planet sightings and was known to wake the family up at early hours to share it. Newfound Lake was one of Joe’s favorite spots. Whether it be a day trip, or weeklong stay with visiting family, Joe cherished these days on the Lake.
A faithful member of the Catholic church, Joseph was a humble man who was always willing to lend a hand and always put others before himself. He was a man of routine and believed firmly that hard work is both rewarding and would lead to a successful and fulfilling life. Joseph enjoyed sharing these values as both a father and constant teacher for his sons.
Joseph lived his life through love and compassion for others. He would always drop a bit of invaluable wisdom, sometimes so subtle, if you weren’t paying close enough attention you might miss it. Joseph always knew his place in the world and left a lasting mark on many lives. Joseph was his wife and son’s hero and the lessons and memories of him will make him live on forever.
As mentioned, Joseph loved Facebook and the ability to connect with others wherever they are. Now that he is in Heaven, his page will soon be memorialized. Please continue to share your memories with him and your life achievements, or even just to say hello. We know he is still watching over all of us and will love to hear from you all.
Joseph is survived by his wife Maureen V. Griffin of Merrimack, NH, his son Patrick J. Griffin and his wife Kathryn, of Somerville, MA, his son Conor M. Griffin and his girlfriend Haley Watson of Manchester, NH, three sisters Patricia E. Griffin of Lawrenceville, GA, Mary Elizabeth Marsh and her late husband, William of Springboro, Ohio, and Martha A. Sanford and her husband George of Mt. Pleasant, TX; and brother Stephen J. Griffin of Haverhill, MA; and brother-in-law Brian B. Gleason of Merrimack, NH; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandnieces; and his beloved dog Murphy.
The family wishes to honor the memory of Joseph Griffin and his mission of promoting education with contributions to the Future Joseph R. Griffin Scholarship Fund. The Fund is in the process of being established and information will be communicated at a later date.
FUNERAL NOTICE
Visiting hours Monday, August 9, 2021 from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME, CHELMSFORD, MA. Funeral Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 8:00 A.M. from the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD, with a funeral Mass at 9:30 A.M. at Our Lady of Mercy Parish 16 Baboosic Lake Road Merrimack, NH 03054. Burial in the New Saint Joseph Cemetery, 448 Donald Street Bedford, NH 03110. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com
Ryan Polk
| #
Rest in peace Mr Griffin
Sean mccarthy
| #
Rip to one of the greatest men Iv met in my life. Love you forever mr. griffin
Jaimie Boissonneault
| #
My condolences to the entire Griffin Family.
Mr. Griffin will be truly missed by so many. He was an amazing teacher! So many memories from Marketing classes, field trips, random visits back to school to see him well after graduating in 2015 and blessed to have seen him at the retirement party once more. He has changed so many lives. May he Rest In Peace and continue to look down on all of us.
Jill Kukulski
| #
Sorry to hear about mr griffin he was my marketing teacher when I went to the voke he was such a wonderful teacher and was always there to listen when you had a problem he will be missed my thousand prayers are with you at this time
Ron Ayotte
| #
Joe and I go way back to the days at Tyler Park…hanging out with friends, cruising around in his 1961 Plymouth (aka “the Batmobile”) doing crazy things like driving to Washington DC on a whim with friends to see the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers band, playing touch football on Sundays in the fall, etc.
We reconnected via social media a couple of years ago and met at a car show at the Anheuser Busch brewery… I had my car in the show and Joe and his son Chris came down to say hello. If you looked up “nice guy” in the dictionary, Joe’s picture would be there. Rest easy, my friend…
Karen Sullivan
| #
Such a kind and gentle man who always had a smile on his face. We will miss you Joe.
Ashley Beauchesne
| #
Sending our sincerest condolences to the Griffin family. Mr. Griffin was an incredible teacher and mentor to me at Greater Lowell. You could always depend on him for a little smirk and a joke usually playfully poking fun at us. He kept us laughing and always entertained while still teaching us valuable life lessons along the way. A wonderful man who will be sorely missed by all. Rest easy Mr. G
Melllissa Gauthier
| #
My condolences to the entire Griffin Family! Mr Griffin was a great teacher and a great man! You will be missed! Till we meet again ?
Heather Gretter
| #
Mr. Griffin was my absolute favorite teacher at the Voke, and I will never forget him, and everything he taught me, even after all these years. Rest in Peace Mr. G ❤
Stacey Jones-Walker
| #
My condolences to you Brian and family
Jason King
| #
So sorry to hear about Joe. He was always one of my favorite people during the old Cardinal/HS football days. Such a great guy! Nancy and I send our thoughts and prayers to the entire Griffin family
Chrissy (Turcotte) Degan - Class of '93
| #
My deepest condolences to the entire family for the loss of such a wonderful man. Mr. Griffin was a great teacher, mentor and friend! He always made you feel like you were his #1 no matter what. I looked up to him and I really hope I made him proud. He left a mark and I will be forever grateful for knowing him. Thanks for everything, Mr. G! RIP
T Silva
| #
I heard the news and hoped it wasn’t true. You were never far from my thoughts over the years. Thank you for your years of wisdom and funny wit. Rest with the angels.
Hugs to your family. Class of 92
Mary Gardill
| #
Please accept my deepest condolences Maureen, Brian and family.
Having met Joe only once at his son’s wedding, his kind nature shone through! I have heard so many wonderful comments about his support through the years and am praying for your comfort and peace through this difficult loss.
Joan Picco
| #
Rest in peace, Joe. You were always battling for your kids during our Honor Society elections! In retirement, I loved all the pictures you used to post of Murphy! Maureen and family, I am so sorry for your loss…
Nadia S
| #
I want to offer my condolences to the Griffin family. Rest in paradise Mr. Griffin, you were the best Marketing Teacher!
Madeline Santana
| #
May you rest in peace Mr. Griffin you were my favorite teacher when i attended GLRVS. You made us laugh in class and always gave us good advice. This news saddens me to hear. I offer my condolences to your family i am sure youll keep an eye on them from heaven. BEST TEACHER EVER!!
Rosemary Thompson
| #
My sincere condolences to the Griffin family! Joe was always very cordial and kind to me and I always appreciated that! My thoughts and prayers are with Maureen and the boys! May he rest in eternal peace!
Ed Domoracki
| #
RIP my good old friend! So many great times years ago. Memories will last forever, Sox games, World Series 86, GE softball, and of course Monday night football at yur house!! God bless u Joe!!!
Rick Langlois
| #
Steve, My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Rick Langlois
Eylene Dano
| #
Joe: during mass today My thoughts went to the good old days when our kids were young and doing cardinals football. You and Bob were always helping out during practices or just sitting and enjoying each other’s company. Great memories I will cherish.
Doris M. DiFonzo
| #
I first met Joe and the entire marketing team more than twenty years ago when I did my teaching put on staffinternship at GLTHS. His mentoring made a huge impact on my desire to teach only at the Voke even though it took me a couple of years to realize my dream. He and I always took time to catch up on news thanks in part to my connection to you Maureen when you were my supervisor for a period of time. Ironically Joe and I retired at the same time and once again had a marvelous conversation at the Retirement Celebration. His picture from that occasion hangs on my refrigerator, and is a happy reminder of my knowing and working with one of the kindest, gentlest, funniest people it was my distinct joy to know in my twenty years as a teacher at GLTHS. My condolences to you Maureen. Wishing you all the comfort extended to you and your family from Joe’s extended family of friends and colleagues.
Doris M. DiFonzo
| #
I first met Joe and the entire marketing team more than twenty years ago when I did my teaching internship internship at GLTHS. His mentoring made a huge impact on my desire to teach only at the Voke even though it took me a couple of years to realize my dream. He and I always took time to catch up on news thanks in part to my connection to you, Maureen, when you were my supervisor for a period of time. Ironically Joe and I retired at the same time and once again had a marvelous conversation at the Retirement Celebration. His picture from that occasion hangs on my refrigerator, and is a happy reminder of my knowing and working with one of the kindest, gentlest, funniest people it was my distinct joy to know in my twenty years as a teacher at GLTHS. My condolences to you Maureen. Wishing you all the comfort extended to you and your family from Joe’s extended family of friends and colleagues.