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Emile Griffith Obituary
The hall said on Tuesday he died at an extended care facility in Hempstead, New York.
His remarkable boxing career was overshadowed by the death of opponent Bennie Paret from injuries in the ring in 1962.
Griffith struggled with pugilistic dementia and required full-time care late in life. He was the first boxer from the U.S. Virgin Islands to become world champion.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
69 Entries
Butch Chambers
May 2, 2019
Met Emile in Charleston. I did not have a cornerman he was kind and worked my corner in an eight round fight. He was a real gentleman and took time to help a local club fighter. We stayed in touch, he will always be missed.
Friends
July 23, 2017
Heartfelt prayers to the family of Mr Griffith. Please continue to look to the Almighty for strength and comfort. May the assurance of God's promise to "Swallow up death forever" provide solace to the family.
Evans family
July 23, 2017
We would like to offer the family our heartfelt condolences. May the peace of God guard your hearts as you continue to rely on God for strength.
How you can show support
Ronke X
December 23, 2015
Mr. Griffith we will miss you. St. Thomas may have been your birthplace, but the world was your oyster.
Rest in eternal peace'
Ronke
August 26, 2013
Emile was one of my favorite fighters. More importantly, he was a gentle-spirited man who now resides in God's arms in Heaven.
my mom Dolores Griffith
richard griffith
August 5, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
CeeCee Evans
August 2, 2013
One of the greatest boxers of all time. A wonderful person. He will be deeply missed!
CeeCee, New York, NY
July 31, 2013
May our loving Creator grant you guidance, strength and comfort during this difficult time. He invites us to approach him in prayer, to pour out our heart to him. (Psalm 62:8)
July 28, 2013
Wow..so sorry to hear of Emile's passing. R.I.P Emile..Met him while in Philly visiting Joe Frazier (Smoke). Wonderful and beautiful person and was a pleasure in meeting and spending time with him!
Dennis OBrien
July 28, 2013
RIP my friend. Had many good times with Emile, Jack M, Billy "Pete" McGrath, Don Nagel, Larry Clayton and so many others while visiting the Jack Miller's Pub many years ago.
Carolyn
July 28, 2013
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Joe Schulkes
July 27, 2013
this is a beautiful man. I first met emile in jersey city where I lived and we spoke for a while. I will never forget him. "Jersey" Joe Schulkes
Danny C Brewster
July 27, 2013
I remember so well, in the summer 1961 when Emile Griffith came to Kankakee, IL to visit Mr. Tom Patti of Patti's corner store. He introduced me to "The Champ." I was so proud and excited to meet Mr. Emile Griffith, the newly crowned Welterweight Champion of the World. I shook his hand and walked down the street with him. It was a proud moment and I'll never forget it.
July 26, 2013
Remember. “This World is the Land of the Dying; The Next is the Land of the Living.” LORD...Protect and Keep Him! With Sympathy. Atty. Clorius L. Lay
john
July 26, 2013
I watched Mr. Griffith live on the Friday night fights back during the late 1950's and early 1960's. I was a young boy and these were the first professional fights I had ever seen. I was very impressed with Mr. Griffith's boxing skills and how he appeared to keep himself in such excellent shape. I recently watched the television special on his life and was moved by his dignity and humility. He was a great boxer and a greater human being. I hope that you rest in peace sir. I admire you.
tania king
July 26, 2013
RIP Cousin Emile unfortunately personally I did not know you. But we were family not the less. Since your death I have read many great thing about you as a boxer but more importantly you as a man. It speaks volumes for your character. Love Tania King
Bob Hartman
July 26, 2013
Loved this man. A tremendous boxer/champion. May he rest in peace for eternity. One of the best,ever..pound for pound.
Matthew Hendrickson
July 26, 2013
Thank you Champ for always being in my corner. I will never forget you and the wonderful memories from West Indies Gym in Paterson.
phil sokira
July 26, 2013
great fighter and a great person. ill always remember seeing him several times at the ibhof. will miss him.
Joseph shields
July 25, 2013
Thank you Champ for letting me spar with you as a young man, You were a humble,warm,and great Champion
JACKIE R EVANS
July 25, 2013
REST IN PEACE JUNIOR.
Bob Mutter
July 25, 2013
Emile was a great fighter and a fine gentleman every time I met him in Canastota, N.Y. There aren't many like him.
tony salaski
July 25, 2013
Thank you Emile for being a fighting champion. That ducked nobody.
Petrina Bell
July 25, 2013
My heart and prayers are with the family of Mr.Griffith. "May the God of all comfort , comfort you in this time of sorrow."
Joann Foster
July 25, 2013
Rest In Peace Emile! You were always such a gentleman. I will never forget you!
Say hello to Don, Jack, Marcel, and Judy! Til we meet again!
Love,
Girlfriend
Matthew Hendrickson
July 25, 2013
Thank you for always being in my corner Champ! I'll never forget and the wonderful memories from West Indies Gym in Paterson.
LW
July 25, 2013
R.I.P.
Jeremiah Newton
July 25, 2013
A gentleman and a caring human being. You were these things. My sympathy is extended to his son, Luis.
LJB
July 25, 2013
What a fighter! Always a pleasure to watch. RIP CHAMP!
Ramon Muniz
July 25, 2013
May the Lord be with you in your eternal Life.We will miss you forever. R.I.P.
S L
July 25, 2013
So sorry for the loss of your dear family member. May the God of comfort help to endure this most difficult time.
Greg Phillips
July 25, 2013
Rest in Peace Champ !!
Mary Meredith
July 24, 2013
My deepest sympathy. May you RIP..............
Jimmy Glickstein
July 24, 2013
Fondly remember serving you beef broth at my father's restaurant, Mc Ginnis, after the weigh-ins at Madison Sq. Garden.You will be sorely missed.
Charlie
July 24, 2013
Always a champ in this corner, but never moreso than when I saw the true sense of gratitude on his face when Benny "Kid" Paret's son hugged him on the TV special many years after the tragic bout.
July 24, 2013
May your family have the peace of God that guards your hearts.
Cheri
July 24, 2013
Will always remember you since you got me a "A" in my English class at Temple in 1965. The teacher couldn't believe a woman would write about a boxer! RIP
irene rev.21:4
July 24, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Gary Seeley
July 24, 2013
An all time great in the ring and a gentleman everywhere. A real man and a true champion.
Gordon Analla
July 24, 2013
I was selling at a souvenier stand at the Oakland Coliseum in 1971 when I ran into Emile. He was with Gil Glancy. Emile came over to my stand and talked to me. Later on I went out in the stands to sell and I ran into him again. He was very gracious. A ready smile. He fought at the Cow Palace that week, beating one of our local favorites, Nate Collins. I hope he is at peace.
Michael Wilson
July 24, 2013
I remember watching him on television as a kid. May he rest in peace.
LAUREL HARLEY
July 24, 2013
A champion both inside and outside of the ring and a St. Thomas treasure.
Rest in peace Emile.
Michael Shine
July 24, 2013
GOOD NIGHT TO ONE OF THE GREATS
July 24, 2013
God Rest his soul. a true Champ. Thanks for the great memories Emile. May you finally Rest in Pease
Bernie Flynn- phl, pa.
Dee Brooker
July 24, 2013
Dee Brooker,Columbus Georgia
dan hobbins
July 24, 2013
What a GREAT champ ! He was a class act and will be missed by all !
Charles Bauer
July 24, 2013
Thank you for the memories RIP
G. Freeman
July 24, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ava Wright
July 24, 2013
Rest In Peace.
Anthony Mong
July 24, 2013
I had the honor of meeting the champ at the Parkside Lounge on Houston Street in New York City back in the middle 1970's. I found him to be a very gracious, friendly and humble man from the short time I talked with him. I am truly saddened by his lost. After the tragic death of his opponent in the ring, he was never the same again. Rest in peace Champ.
LeRoy Brown
July 24, 2013
Emile's fighting era was before my time, but I would research and watch the older prizefighters and he was one of my favorites, a true champion. R.I.P. CHAMP
July 24, 2013
SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS,DEATH IS NEVER EASY,BUT GOD HAS SAID THAT HE WILL GIVE US PEACE AND COMFORT."HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO MOURN,SINCE THEY WILL BE COMFORTED."{matt.5:4}...ms.mebane
Ron Lacanfora
July 24, 2013
Sorry for loss
Laurie Kruse
July 24, 2013
I met Emile at Jack Miller's Pub in Jersey City. Always a gentlemen and had a smile for everyone. Rest in Peace to a true treasure.
Antrice Washington
July 24, 2013
Godspeed your greatness. Prayers to the family
Thomas Family
July 24, 2013
One of the greats!!!!
July 24, 2013
I am truly sorry for the Griffith family's loss. Pleas know that Bible provides a hope for our loved ones who have fallen sleep in death (John5:28)
Hepsy Carlos
July 24, 2013
Emile Griffith and my memories of him as a little girl, growing up on 153rd Street Harlem NYC. My father was the late EARL V CARLOS, who was the shoe makeron the block.Every single day EMILE GRIFFITH would stop by my father's shop and hang of with the fellows. He was always smiling, my favorite part was the fact he would pick me up and spend me around, YEA. God bless EMILE GRIFFITH and may he rest in peace. To the family just hold on to GOD unchanging hands, call on him for all your needs; he will not let you down.
G. Jones
July 24, 2013
To the entire family. May the God who gives peace be with you all in this time of sorrow. Rom.15:33.
Robert Brizel
July 24, 2013
Rest in peace, Emile. The Ring of Fire has finally been extinguished.
Robert Brizel, Boxing correspondent, Real Combat Media
irene
July 23, 2013
1 Cor. 15:22: “In Adam all are dying.”
Ronnie Martindale
July 23, 2013
Always a Champion.
July 23, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss but keep in mind that at psalms
37:10,11 I brings out there is still hope for the meek ones.
Dwayne Bickham
July 23, 2013
in God's care rest in peace
Jack MIller's Forever!!!!
The Waz
July 23, 2013
A great fighter and a great guy. Always a smile for everyone. RIP.
Jack MIller's Forever!!!!
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