Thomas O. Griffith

May 13, 1952 - November 7, 2024

Tom was born May 13, 1952 in New York City to James O. Griffith and Sally (Huggins) Griffith. He was their first born. Within his first year he and his parents moved back to their hometown, Williamsville, New York.

In the next five years Tom would become a big brother to three other siblings. His parents would also remodel a 200 year old stone house, establish flower and vegetable gardens, dig a pond and thrive.

In 1967 the family moved to Vineland, New Jersey where Tom entered high school. In 1969 Tom, on his Honda motorcycle, went to Woodstock and his family naively watched on their 13 inch TV to see if they could find him in the crowd.

He graduated from Vineland High School the following May and departed for Rutgers, where he would spend the year, most notably in an art studio, where the professor said of his painting "I will never be able to do that."

He was artistic. Painting, writing, music were his constant companions. Though quiet in nature, he could frequently come out with the most spot on observations. Tom self published four books, most recently "A Reed in the Wind". A pen and pad were always by his side. He leaves many pages for us to absorb.

In the early seventies he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Here began a journey of enormous pain and loneliness. Yet he more often than not rose to the difficulty and was compliant and engaged with treatment and the mental health community in Burlington and Atlantic City, New Jersey. He served on the board of Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ) for many years. Facing this disorder in the eye and communicating about it was an extraordinary part of who Tom was.

In later years, from his apartment in the Charles Jeffries Tower in Atlantic City, the health consequences of psychotropic medication, cigarettes and loneliness took their toll. Ultimately his heart gave out and he took his last breath on Thursday, November 7, 2024 in his chair with his guitars by his side.

Appreciation to the PACE program, the Caring staff at Jeffries Towers, the Atlantic City Housing Authority and to the countless medical professionals at AtlantiCare who administered to him over the years.

He leaves Davis (Aarjan Vink), Susan, Sarah (Geert Jan Colijn), two nephews, a niece and a slew of cousins. His cremated remains will be scattered in his favorite place.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Press of Atlantic City from Nov. 20 to Nov. 21, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Griffith

Sponsored by Greenidge Funeral Home Inc - Atlantic City.

3 Entries

Michael Roque

November 21, 2024

I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Tom working for PACE Life Connection. We would pick him up and drop him off from the program. He was a kind, gentle soul and one of my favorite participants. He was such an interesting man being so brilliant with many interesting stories. He was a whiz whenever we had trivia games. The PACE program benefited from participants like Thomas. May he rest in
peace.

Kimber Wade

November 21, 2024

I was Thomas' nurse from PACE. I enjoyed our long conversations regarding his love of music. He had just recently brought cd's of Mozart which we both enjoyed. I so enjoyed his calm demeanor and insightful conversations of the world and beyond. I will truly miss him. Rest in peace my friend. I had great pleasure serving you.

Sandy Festa

November 21, 2024

I remember meeting Tom some thirty years ago. I was so impressed with his ability to relate to me and others with profound depth. Our conversations over the years covered music, family and human experiences. I was honored to be gifted a copy of his first book which I read, and we later discussed. Our lives reconnected in the most recent years. I looked forward to seeing his smile and having him share his insights. I am grateful for knowing him and seeing all that he offered his communities. Rest in Peace my friend.
- Sandy

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