Submitted by: Dan Rich

John Griffin

May 2, 1906 - July 8, 1999

South Bend Tribune 7/10/1999

John Griffin, 93, went home to be with the Lord after passing away of natural causes on Thursday, July 8. Mr. Griffin was born on May 2, 1906, in Limerick City, Ireland, to John and Ellen (O'Connell) Griffin. He was a professional rugby player in both Ireland and England. In 1956, he moved with his family to the United States, where he became a naturalized citizen, retiring here from Wheelabrator Corporation in 1971, after 15 years of service. Until his later years, John enjoyed swimming and tennis and was an avid Notre Dame Football fan. Mr. Griffin was a member of St. Joseph's Parish for 43 years, was an Honorary Member of the Altar Society, Harvest House and the Circle of Mercy.

On Sept. 1, 1934, in Ireland, John married Brigid L. Lynn, who survives him. He is also survived by three daughters, Mary (Jack) Higgins of Louisville, Ky., Gerry (Frank) Kenny of Indianapolis, Ind., and Helen (Keith) Olson of Fort Wayne, Ind.; two sons, Sean (Bernadine) Griffin of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Gerard W. (Susan) of Mishawaka, Ind.; two sisters, Angela Murray of Birmingham, England, and Breda Clarke of Alexander Hills, Brisbane, Australia; a brother, Thurlough Griffin of Sidney, Australia; 12 grandchildren; 1 step-grandchild; nine great-grandchildren; and five step-great- grandchildren.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be at 10 a.m. on Monday in St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. on Sunday in the McGann Funeral Home, University Area Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Road, South Bend, where the Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to The Women's Care Center, 417 N. St. Louis Blvd., South Bend, IN 46617.