Terence Leahy Griswold

Passed away suddenly on Monday, September 22, 2025.

Terry was a husband, father, grandfather and entrepreneur. He grew up one of 12 children in Hornell, NY. He was a star athlete in basketball, baseball, and football in high school. At Alfred University he was the starting center for the Saxtons football team. He was a proud member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity where he made many lifelong friends. This upbringing gave him the foundation for the man he was to become. He was first and foremost a family man. Terry and his wife of 47 years, Carol, raised two beautiful children, Daniel and Jenna. They were the light of their lives and the grandchildren became the center of their world as time wore on. When Terry was with his grandchildren, nothing else mattered. He took them on adventures, created magical stories of Griswold the Grizzley Bear and travels through outer space, played sports, choreographed dances, and taught them how to rides bikes, among many other things.

Terry co-founded Empire Valuation Consultants in 1988. During the 33 years Terry led the company, Empire grew to become a nationally recognized business valuation firm with a strong culture that was rooted in the family values he lived by. His tenure as CEO culminated in April 2021 when Empire became 100% employee owned, and Terry became Trustee of the company's ESOP.

Terry received an MBA from Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester and held credentialing with the ASA. He became a nationally recognized expert in business valuations and employee stock ownership plans. Terry was a CPA, Senior Member of the American Society of Appraisers, officer of the ESOP Association and a member of the Board of Examiners for over 20 years.

Terry has been described by his employees as always being ready with a smile, word of encouragement, and a helping hand. He served as President of Brighton Girls Softball league for several years and coached his kids in multiple sports. In addition, he was also very involved in community food drives and mission trips to Guatemala. One such trip, the village near the home build was without clean running water for 5 years due to a broken pump. Terry, through the help of Empire, raised the money to fix the pump and restore water to the village. Through all of this, Terry's most endearing traits are his humility, love for Notre Dame Football, and desire to reach for the stars.

Terry will be greatly missed by many. He is survived by his wife Carol; his children, Daniel (wife Shachaf), Jenna (partner Adam); and grandchildren, Riley, Willow, Kaya, Liam and Luke. In addition, Terry is survived by his 11 siblings. He is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Genevieve Griswold; and brother, Daniel.

Visiting hours will be held at the funeral chapel (2305 Monroe Avenue), Friday September 26th from 4-7 pm. A Celebration of Life reception will be held Monday, September 29th at Genesee Valley Club (421 East Avenue, Rochester, NY) from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Terry's name to Bethel Ministries (https://www.bethelministriesinternational.com/) or the Hornell Animal Shelter (https://www.hornellanimalshelter.org/)