John A. Griner III

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Manhattan Business Academy Harvard University

John Griner Obituary

Died on September 20, 2007 after a battle against brain cancer. He graduated from Harvard College in 1954. He then served in the Strategic Air Command as a B-47E navigator-bombardier. After completing his tour in the Air Force, he entered the Harvard Business School and earned his MBA in 1959. He stayed on an additional year as a Research Assistant in Finance. He spent 23 years with the investment banking firm of A. G. Becker in Chicago before he left to join the venture capital firm of Technology Funding in California. In 1987 he joined the firm of Landmark Partners in Simsbury, Connecticut and at the time of his death he was the retired Managing Partner of Landmark Partners. He was an instrument-rated commercial pilot and was actively involved in music, education, and philanthropy. Mr. Griner was Chairman of the Board of the New York Pops and was a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the New Milford Hospital, serving as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He was a member of the Committee on University Resources at Harvard University, served on the advisory boards of Harvard's School of Engineering Sciences, Boston's New Boston Real Estate Fund and Boston's LongVue Advisors. He was passionate about education and funded scholarships for children in South Africa and for students at Harvard College and the Harvard Business School. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Elgin Academy in Elgin, Illinois and was a Director Emeritus of The New England Air Museum. Mr. Griner was a member of the Harvard Club of Boston, Bull's Bridge Golf Club, Lake Waramaug Country Club and Dunham Woods Riding Club. He is survived by his brother Paul, his wife Margaret, his children John, Kathryn and Gregg and his nine grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at St. Andrews Church in Kent, Connecticut on Saturday, September 29 at 4:00pm and at Memorial Church, Harvard Yard on Tuesday, October 2 at 4:00pm. The family has asked that memorials be made to New Milford Hospital Foundation for the Cancer Center, 28 Elm Street, New Milford, CT 06776 or to the Neuro-Oncology Branch, NCI, Bloch Building #82, Room 235, 9030 Old Georgetown Road, MSC 8200, Bethesda, MD 20892-8200 (attention Dr. Howard Fine).

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Published by Boston Globe from Sep. 23 to Sep. 24, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for John Griner

10 Entries

Robert Faucett

October 2, 2007

I first met John at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento when we were navigator's training to serve with Strategic Air Command in B-47's. We instantly became friends and spent many happy times together pursuing common interests such as flying small planes, athletics and exploring Sacramento.

After graduating from Mather, John was assigned to a base in Tampa and I went to Idaho. We both got out of the USAF early and John entered Harvard Business School. I was fortunate to catch a USAF flight to Boston and spent several days with John at Harvard and attending a class with him.

During the next 50 years we were able to get together a few times in Illinois and San Diego but we kept up on each other through Margaret's wonderful Christmas letters.

In the last few months I had the pleasure of talking with John on the phone and it seemed like "old times". He was a wonderful man and I will miss he greatly.

My thoughts and prayers are with Margaret and his family.

Bob Faucett P.S. I will never forget that John allowed me to make my first landing in a little Aerona at Fair Oaks, California 51 years ago on a grass strip. I know have made more than 15,000 landings but that one was very special.

Tom Jones

September 27, 2007

John was my college classmate. I can picture his face clearly even though I haven't seen him for more than 50 years. We were in the Air Force ROTC program. He will remain in my memory as an outstanding, forever young man headed for the great success in life that he later achieved. My sympathy to his wife, his brother, his children, grandchildren and friends.

Gail and John Teller

September 25, 2007

Margaret, our prayers and sympathy are extended to you and yours. John's and your support of my real estate abilities helped in funding my girls' educations. We now have a creative science teacher and surgeon. Thank you both for your friendship.

Dana Boyle

September 25, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Betty Ann Copley Harris

September 25, 2007

We had the pleasure of getting to know John through his exemplary leadership of the New Milford Hospital Board and its fundraising programs. John was a great champion for philanthropy leading the way on magnificent fundraising campaigns for the Hospital and other deserving organizations. All of us at Copley Harris Company are honored to have known John and extend our deepest sympathy to the Griner Family.

William H Leney

September 24, 2007

Margaret & Family:

Our hearts are very heavy as we view John's Obituary. His accomplishments are fantastic, but of greater importance, he was a great guy, a real human being. We feel privileged to count him as a friend. Our deepest sympathies to all of you.

With love,

Jackie and Bill

Karen Miskulin

September 24, 2007

Our Deepest condolences and sympathy to you and your family
Karen & Glenn Miskulin

Cathy Thomas

September 24, 2007

Our condolences and sympathy

Scott and Cathy Thomas

Evelyn Martinez

September 23, 2007

I first met Mr. Griner when he shook my hand and handed me my high school diploma at Elgin Academy. Little did I know that I would become a part of his wonderful family for the rest of my life. You see, Mr. Griner's son Gregg graduated that day also and his girlfriend, my little sister Maria was in the audience, clapping for me and Gregg. However, her smile was for Gregg:) Many years later, (25 yikes!) I have come to know this family. Maria Griner calls me her sister, Gregg his sister-in-law (when he is on his best behavior), some of the Griner's call me Auntie Evie. What is more amazing to me is that my husband Toney, is Gregg and Maria's brother-in-law and my children love Uncle Gregg and Auntie Ria and their cousins; Mark, Katie and Grace. However, my 18 year old daughter is still trying to figure out how her hilariously, amusing Uncle Gregg could be a serious attorney :). Throughout all the occasions of life I have gotten to know Mr. Griner and Mrs. Griner as some of the most kindhearted, generous people I have ever met. My children and I will never forget our summer weekends at the lakehouse with Mr. Griner tubing on the lake. My older son will always remember fishing with Mr. Griner, Uncle Gregg and Mark off the dock and catching so many fish he was amazed. I will always remember the strong, comforting hug from Mr. Griner when my Dad passed away. But I think what I have learned the most from this wonderful family is acceptance, and this mostly from Mrs. Griner. Margaret (it has taken me a very long time to call her by her first name :), has shown me so much love and acceptance. Watching her love her children (and that includes my sister) has taught me how a mother loves. I can call her Margaret now but what I treasure more is that I can call her friend. I am so sorry for this incredible loss. This isn't something you get over...you just get used to it, and find a new normal. My family and I send our condolences to all the Griners for your tremendous loss. I am looking forward to seeing Mr. Griner again, happy, healthy, fishing or golfing - Maybe even golfing with my Dad.
You are all in my prayers. May God Bless you all.

Craig Ewing

September 23, 2007

My condolences go out to his family. I did not know him personally, just knew of him from a former daughter-in-law that I am dating. Mr GrinerIII is now with God and is more at peace than he's been for some time with his illness. May the Lord God bless his family.

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