Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
About
John Griffin Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Griffin
Allyn Archer
May 27, 2019
In the 70s, when Ty and I were students at Williams and Mount Holyoke, we were introduced by a mutual friend and dated for a time. Ty was kind, brilliant, funny, and treated me with utmost respect. His modesty was exemplary of the gentleman that he was: I knew that he played squash competitively, but he never spoke of his extraordinary rankings. In the years since, most of them in a wonderful marriage, I have cherished the memories of that truly extraordinary young man, brimming with life and promise and admired by all his peers. The world is surely a lesser place without Ty Griffin, Jr. in it.
Mary Dake Ryerson
March 18, 2014
We miss you greatly. I have vague yet fond memories of coming over to Mare and "Big Ty's" house to watch Narnia and to play with their son, my friend Tyler, when we were little kids. I also used to love playing with Mare's talking parrot that used to fly free all over the kitchen. I loved that! My mom reminded me that Tyler and I learned to ride bikes by flying down the hill in their front yard, with my mom and "Big Ty" running after us.
Even after my family moved away from Pennsylvania when I was 5 years old, my mom always talked about her love for the Gilbert and Sullivan musicals that she performed in with Ty. Although we live in Connecticut now, we still tried to catch up with Mare and "Big Ty" and my old friend Tyler over some holidays during my elementary years. We would visit my grandparents and cousins in PA during holidays, and when I was little we made time to see the Griffins.
I remember as a little kid being fascinated by the deep intellect "Big Ty" had and wished that I could really understand his thoughts. I only wish we had stayed in touch better over the years, because I think in the last few years we would have had some very interesting conversations.
Mare and son Tyler, my family misses you greatly and you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Mary Dake Ryerson (31 years)
mom Deedee Ryerson and dad Grif Ryerson
Simsbury, Connecticut
January 30, 2014
While I have not worked with John directly for a few years, I have many good memories of the days I spent with John making direct customer calls. He was energetic, intelligent, creative, ethical, entertaining, and many more wonderful qualities. He and Mary were most gracious hosts during my Philadelphia visits. Ask Mary about the night she served a new Key Lime Pie dessert recipe. My heartfelt condolences to Mary and Ty.
-Glen Gauvin (Contrex, Inc)
Jerry O'Connell
November 23, 2013
These past years I often had the pleasure of Ty's company on the tennis courts. While I was never a match for him, he would always make sure to be complementary and gracious to me – no matter how lopsided the score in his favor. I often marveled at how one person could be so good and so humble all at the same time. I will miss my friend Ty dearly, both on and off the court.
Steve Brinkley
November 22, 2013
It has been my privilege to know and work with John for the last 35 years. Doing business with John was fun and I enjoyed our talks over lunch. John was my friend. I am so sad to hear of his loss.
Darla Brewer
November 21, 2013
John was a very caring person and a joy to have known. He will be sadly missed.
November 20, 2013
Ty was a fierce competitor on the squash and tennis court, but a consummate sportsman and gentleman at all times. He was truly a renaissance man, combining acute intellect, superior athletic prowess, and impressive musical talent. I was very moved by the heartfelt messages written in the guest book. He was a great ambassador for Williams College.
Bob Eyre, Williams Class of 1971
Palmer Page
November 20, 2013
J. Tyler Griffin Jr. related directly to the President, John Tyler, was a great athlete, talented thespian and musician, devoted friend of mine and many, and a great family man. It was great fun to hear him play the piano and sing. He knew Gilbert and Sullivan inside out. At Camp Tecumseh he became great friends with Al Molloy. Al thought the world of Ty too. I could tell that Al had a hard time coaching me as the Penn coach against Ty at Williams!
I have always been very fond of Ty, we played Varsity Tennis and Squash together at EA for years. He was a great racquets player, marvelous with putting English on the ball, even the squash ball. He did like tennis more! I lost to him for all four of the EA school squash titles. He beat me in team matches at college, he knew what I was going to do before I did. Ty was one of my best friends, Ty was always there with an encouraging comment and warmth.
November 19, 2013
Dear Mary and Ty,
John was a frequent customer and a breath of fresh air when he crossed the threshold of THE PUTAWAY TENNIS SHOP. We had missed his periodic visits throughout the course of this year but would see his lanky figure cross Chestnut Rd. on his way to procure some sustenance at lunchtime.
His humor was unique and he was the consummate gentleman. We had the privilege of meeting both of you over the last 3 decades while I have been here.
He treasured his family and loved his tennis. His prowess was known without his utterance of it.
God bless and may you find comfort and support through family and friends and all of whom he touched during his life.
Grateful to have made his acquaintance and yours.
Marita Parthemore
Jeff Niemitz
November 19, 2013
Ty was one of my entry mates in Williams C. He introduced me to the wonderful game of squash. Though he usually just toyed with me in the squash court he was always gracious to me. It was a life lesson that one should always treat others as you would want to be treated and though he trounced me often it was always in good fun. I talk about my squash game with Ty often in this sense. My prayers go out to the family.
Vincent Vigorita
November 19, 2013
One of my roommates freshman year at Williams College, my most vivid memory of Ty was on the top floor of Williams C, in the shower, singing softly and scribbling physics problems with his pencil on the wall. What a site! He was indeed someone very special.
Skip Vigorita Williams '72
Chris West
November 18, 2013
Thanks to Dave Webster for the moving tribute to Ty Griffin. Ty and I shared a very tiny bedroom together during freshman year on the top floor of Williams C. I was in the top bunk, with Ty below. Ty was a fascinating person. Acutely smart, particularly in mathematics. Somewhat shy but when in comfortable surroundings a natural-born comic. A squash superstar nationally, he tried to teach me the game one afternoon, ran up the score to 20-0 before he let me score a point and then polished me off. His tennis prowess was only slightly inferior to his squash abilities.
So how did a tall, angular jock mathematician seemingly come out of nowhere to headline Charlie Rubin and Bill Finn's original musical, Sizzle, in our senior year. Well, Ty's father was the leader of Philadelphia's resident Gilbert and Sullivan company, and Ty had been raised on a steady diet of G&S. He spent several years as the theater counselor at a summer camp known for its annual Gilbert and Sullivan shows, and he directed and starred in numerous of the camp productions. Since it was an all-boy camp, his only bad experience was trying to persuade the young campers whose voices hadn't changed yet to play fairies in the camp's production of "Iolanthe".
At this moment, the image that comes most vividly to mind is an inscription that mysteriously appeared on the wall of the toilet stall in our bathroom on the top floor of Williams C midway through freshman year. It read "Is life a boon? Then Death, whene'er he calls must call too soon." I stared at that bit of antiquated doggerel for weeks until one evening when I was listening to a G&S recording borrowed from the college library and heard that very phrase sung by the lead tenor. It was one of those "Aha" moments that occur infrequently; I knew precisely who our graffiti poet was. Of course, when I confronted Ty, he admitted it, and we both had a good chuckle when I promised to keep his secret.
For Ty, I think that life really was a boon. He had a happy marriage, a successful son, a rewarding career, decades of challenging sporting events and lots of opportunities to perform on local Philadelphia stages. And indeed, Death has called him away much too soon. His good friends are going to miss him greatly.
Dori Jacobson
November 18, 2013
Ty was one of the first people I met when I transferred to Williams in 1970…I had met him the year before while an exchange student at Williams. He was delightful, energized, and adventurous. He was what took me to Williams. Rest in peace, Ty, and fly safely into the sunset.
Frode Jensen
November 18, 2013
My old teammate at Williams, Ty was a superb squash player, head and shoulders the best on our team, ranking among the top college players in the nation. I was so proud of his accomplishments on our team back in the day. I am so happy now to read of all of his accomplishments since then. What a wonderful life! What more can we ask?
Tom McBride
November 18, 2013
One of the greatest gifts in life is to give the gift of ones time. I only new Johnny through work but when I told him I played tennis, he immediately offered to set aside some of his time to play with me. Even more importantly to me, he offered to give my son Tristan a few pointers on the court as well. I will always be grateful for his time and and his amazing ability to make us feel like maybe it were us that were doing him a favor. I did not get to spend enough time with Johnny but I miss him greatly. He is the very model of a modern Major General :-)
Karl Schoettle
November 17, 2013
Ty was among the most gracious tennis and squash players ever.
Paul Coughlin
November 16, 2013
John was an intelligent, fun and energetic person. I worked with John for over twenty years and I always enjoyed our conversations. It was always a pleasure to speak with John and more so to travel with him. John will be greatly missed.
Tony Brown
November 14, 2013
A wonderfully witty and talented person who will be missed by so many of us who were privileged to have known him.
November 13, 2013
Such a loss! I am truly grieved and wish heartfelt sympathy to Mary and Ty. I always loved seeing all of you, and singing with Ty, he always made me raise my game! xoxo Katie Craig
Liz Thomas
November 13, 2013
I have known Ty (whom I will always call John) since I was an impressionable 11-year-old and he was dominating the profile of his beautiful mother-to-be, Sonia. I watched him pay rapt attention (in the company of his grandmother) sitting in the front
row of every Gilbert & Sullivan Players production on Delancy Street from the time he was a toddler. Later I played opposite him
on the very same stage and I loved him as a person and as a consummate actor and G&S interpreter. I will also never forget his
amazing eulogy for Ty senior two years ago. I will always miss them both and trust that they are performing together again
now, along with our many loved ones who have gone before them. Nick and I send our love and prayerful thughts to Mary, John and
the entire family.
Jim Pouchot
November 13, 2013
I will always hold dear the memories I have from my friendship & business relationship with John. A truly great man has left his mark and will be missed by all.
Emily Knox
November 13, 2013
I have memories of theater workshops in the early days of the G&S Society West Chester, PA, headed by Ty and Mary. Ty leaves such a legacy of talent and kindness, living on...Prayers will continue to surround his family and friends during the days ahead...
John Dennison
November 13, 2013
A wonderful performer and a good friend who I had the pleasure of working with many times both in Savoy and Chester County. Ty,you will be sorely missed by all who knew you.
Ty Griffin as Maj. Gen. Stanley at Hedgerow Theatre, January 2004.
Martha Smylie
November 12, 2013
The Gilbert & Sullivan community mourns the passing of Ty Griffin, a splendid performer and good sport on and off stage. Condolences to his family and friends. I have included a photo of Ty, taken in January 2004. He had graciously appeared at Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley in a G&S Showcase which I had produced. He served magnificently as our Master of Ceremonies as well as taking the lead in several skits.
Showing 1 - 24 of 24 results
Make a Donation
in John Griffin's name
Memorial Events
for John Griffin
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Griffin's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
