Griffith H. Rees

Griffith H. Rees Jr., 95, of Rochester, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Saint Mary's Hospital of the Mayo Clinic after a brief illness.

Griff was born May 11, 1930, in Scranton, PA to Griffith H. and Verna (Davis) Rees. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the US Air Force for one year of active military service as a radio mechanic, followed by 9 years in the US Air Force Reserves, ending with an honorable discharge. Griff studied for two years at Keystone Junior College and then completed his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University in 1957. Griff started his career at International Business Machines (IBM) in Endicott, NY, where he met his future wife, Lois Bennett. Griff and Lois were married on December 9, 1960, in Binghamton, NY. Together, they raised their family in Vestal, NY, Rochester, MN, Boca Raton, FL and finally back to Rochester, MN.

Griff worked hard at IBM his entire career of over 30 years, where his innovations and relatability made him a valuable employee and coworker. He loved his wife and children and provided a comfortable home and lifestyle for them. Griff enjoyed various hobbies: building Heathkit electronics kits (including our first color TV); building and flying radio-controlled airplanes as part of the Rochester Aero Model Society (RAMS). He continued his lifelong interest in radio by learning Morse code and being an amateur (ham) radio operator.

Griff always had a smile for everyone. When Griff and Lois moved to the Homestead retirement community at Rochester in 2015, he soon participated as a resident ambassador, welcoming and connecting with other residents. He enjoyed playing ping pong and being part of the men's coffee group every week. Over the years he enjoyed visits with his grandchildren and then with his great-grandchildren.

Griff attended Autumn Ridge Church with Lois and daughter Renee for many years. In recent years, he attended Marion Road Christian Church with his dear friend, Marge Cash. It was through this and reading the Bible together that he decided to be baptized by water immersion into Christ on Friday, July 11, 2025. He was happy and excited to share this experience with anyone he met - he said, "I feel like a new man!".

Griff was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, in 2021. He is survived by his children, David (Shelley), Bill (Carolyn Byrd), Eugene (Anna) and Renee; daughter-in-law, Lisa Calavetta; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear friend, Marge Cash of Rochester. Griff was also preceded in death by his sister, Verna Jean Rees Thomas and by his parents. The Rees family would like to thank the Mayo Clinic ICU team for their excellent care.

A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester with Pastor Monte French officiating. The visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. that day until the time of the service. The service will be livestreamed through the Ranfranz and Vine Facebook page. Inurnment will be held later at Birchardville Cemetery in Birchardville, PA.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Rees family.