Joseph M. Griffith

Mr. Joseph M. Griffith, 76, of Milford MA, died Sunday (June 14, 2009) at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester MA after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Vera (Price) Griffith, who died in 2004.

Mr. Griffith was born in Milford, the son of the late Lester H. and the late Sarah G. (Dillon) Griffith.

Mr. Griffith first enlisted in the US Coast Guard in 1951 and later transferred to the US Air Force in 1952, where he served for 23 years and attained the rank of Technical Sergeant. He had served in such locations as England, Japan, Langley VA and Otis Air Force Base here in Massachusetts during the Korean Conflict and Viet Nam War. He was also the recipient of 2 Purple Hearts and 1 Bronze Star.

Following his service in the US Air Force, Mr. Griffith began his career at the Massachusetts Department of Employment & Training, working in the Milford office as the veterans representative, until his retirement in 2006.

Mr. Griffith was a longtime member of and Past Commander of the Medway VFW Post #1526, as well as a member of the Milford DAV Post. He was also a longtime member of the Franklin Elks Lodge.

Mr. Griffith was an avid bowler and was a Past President of the Massachusetts Ten Pin Bowling Association; Past President of the Worcester County Bowling Association and had served as a Director of the American Bowling Congress for 14 years. He was also inducted into the Massachusetts Bowling Hall of Fame.

Mr. Griffith was presently serving on the Advisory Committee of the Blackstone Valley Technical Vocational High School in Upton MA.

Mr. Griffith is survived by 1 son, Patrick M. Griffith and his wife Sylvie of Valencia CA; 1 daughter, Catherine M., wife of B.J. McCoy of Hopedale MA; 2 brothers, James Griffith and his wife Janice of Milford and Thomas Griffith and his wife Mary of Millbury; 2 grandchildren, Ian Griffith and Lindsey Griffith; also several nieces and nephews.

His funeral, with Military Honors, will be held Saturday (June 27th) at 9 a.m from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford, MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 19 Winter Street, Milford, MA. Burial will follow in North Purchase Cemetery in Milford MA. Visiting hours will be Friday evening (June 26th) from 5 p.m to 8 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box #3049, Syracuse, NY 13220 or to the New England Animal Medical Center, 595 West Center Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379.

(www.edwardsmemorialfuneralhome.com)