John J. Griffin

HOLYOKE John J. Griffin, 92, of Holyoke, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at Loomis House. He was born in Holyoke, son of the late John and Mary (O'Neill) Griffin and was a graduate of the former Saint Jerome High School, Holyoke Community College, and received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Western New England College. John was a United States Army Air Corps Veteran of World War II, then returned to Holyoke to work at the family-owned Griffin's Café. He was appointed to the Holyoke Police Department on Feb. 2, 1952 as a reserve, and became a permanent member of the department on October 26, 1952. John retired as a Detective Sergeant in 1983 after thirty-one years of service. He was a member of the Massachusetts Police Association and Holyoke Lodge of Elks # 902. John was the widower of Anna (Bresnahan) Griffin who died in 2007. He is survived by four children: John J. Griffin Jr. of Kenner LA, Joanne Griffin of Southampton, David Griffin and his wife Christine of Southampton and Stephen J. Griffin and his wife Crystal of Westfield, three grandchildren: Michael Griffin and wife Mallory, John Griffin and Stephanie Griffin, two brothers: Timothy Griffin of Bloomfield CT and Gerald Griffin of Northampton, Katherine Hegy and her husband Frank of Ludlow, and many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by a son, Liam P. Griffin, a brother Gerry "Buddy" Griffin and a sister Elizabeth Ford. The funeral will be held Monday morning at 9:00 from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, followed by a Mass in Blessed Sacrament Church at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Saint Jerome Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Sunday, April 10th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Holyoke Soldier's Home Patient Recreation Fund, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke MA 01040. The Griffin family would like to thank the staff at Loomis House for the compassionate care given to John.