GRIFFIN FARIELLO Obituary

Griffin (Grif) Ross Fariello Local author Grif Fariello, 61, died February 16, 2012, at his home in San Francisco. A Bay Area resident since 1966, Fariello graduated from Stanford University and earned an MFA from the University of Iowa's Writers' Workshop. Fariello was the author of "Red Scare: Memories of the American Inquisition", which was awarded the Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights Award for Outstanding Work on Intolerance in North America. He was also the chairman of the Committee for Harry Bridges Plaza, which organized for the City's dedication of Harry Bridges Plaza and is now erecting a monument on the site to the late labor leader. Fariello is survived by his mother, Doris Fariello; father, Frank Fariello; partner, Beth Weber; sister, Claudia Bolnick; brother, David Fariello; and nephews and nieces, Gianfranco Giometti, Lara Giometti, Collin Meris, and Laney Meris. Contributions can be sent to Committee for Harry Bridges Plaza, P.O. Box 475787, San Francisco, CA 94147-5737.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Apr. 7 to Apr. 8, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for GRIFFIN FARIELLO

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13 Entries

Brian H. Appleton

July 30, 2022

I am lying in bed recovering from Covid and suddenly I think of my friend Griffin whom I have not seen in a decade and then I Google him and discover he is gone. He was a very good friend of mine in childhood in Livorno and I had a visit with him in Wash DC and later in San Francisco with my mother when she was alive. I knew David and Claudia also. How quickly life passes.

Lisa Davis

May 17, 2015

I wanted to see what else he had done besides "Red Scare," which I have used often in research. And I came upon this. Deepest sympathy for his family. Great sadness for all of us. We could use his voice now. In solidarity.

February 27, 2015

He was my (at the time) boyfriend's uncle, and seemed larger than life at times to this San Francisco newbie. What a shock to hear this. He was so young still. Lindsay (Moro) Attolini

SAMANTHA JOHNSON

November 13, 2014

Sorry to hear about the passing of the best building manager ever. Such a cool guy.

Sandi

November 1, 2014

I just found out today from Katie Estill and Dan Woodrell that Grif had died. Why weren't we in touch? I lost touch w/ many people from the Iowa Workshop. I thought Grif, Dan and Matt P. were all working class veterans. Well, two were, out of three. More than 30 years ago--I remember his assurance and the way he'd make fun of people--me--but never in a mean way. Never. More exuberant than anything.

Thomas Kennett

February 28, 2014

G was my friend. I miss him. We padded the streets of SF together for twenty years, and most of the time did so while arguing about anything that mattered, even when we fundamentally agreed. Especially when we fundamentally agreed. Whenever I visit the City now I stop by the North Point apartment, stand below what was his window, open always to the Bay breeze and fresh ideas, and listen for his booming voice barreling through the night like a runaway freight train. Come see me, buddy. I still have a bone to pick about our foreign policy.

Sherie Steele

February 18, 2014

Is it too late to write something about Grif? I went to high school with him in Palo Alto. He was ALWAYS joyful and inspiring to be around. While he could find - and share - the humor about anything, he also was the first to want to talk about the underlying issues. The world is a sadder, less thoughtful place without him.

Bruce Etringer

December 19, 2013

As I opened a new novel by Daniel Woodrell I notice the dedication: In memory of Grif Fariello. I was stunned. Although I have not thought of Grif regularly over the years, I still remember fondly the time we briefly shared a farmhouse outside Iowa City. My first job at the University of Iowa coincided with his time at the Writer's Workshop. He kindly introduced me to some of the members of the workshop and I still remember his storyboard in his bedroom. He was working on a novel about driving a taxi in San Francisco. While I never knew him well, I still do remember some of the stimulating conversations we had. And some of the beers we shared while he was tending bar.

Dick Dunning

April 18, 2012

Separated by many miles and different life tracks my cousin Grif and I didn't see each other much. But I will always remeber him fondly and recall our occasional meetings and conversations.

Lara Soetekouw-Giometti

April 8, 2012

I remember Zio Grif as always happy, laughing his wonderful warm laugh and talking a lot, interested in everything and simply enjoying himself. What better trace can a man leave behind him?
Lara

kate weber

April 8, 2012

Grif was such a nice guy and such a gentleman . The minute I met him some years back in the North Beach area of San Francisco , he was the perfect fit to city lights and all the wonderful liberal , and intelligent thinking that fits to that bookstore and the little restaurants. I felt smarter just sitting next to him !!!!!

David Fariello

April 7, 2012

I was in awe how Grif could walk into a room of strangers, and leave with three new close friends. He loved getting people to tell their stories, and they felt heard afterward.
We used to argue for hours, but I loved him dearly and will miss him forever.

April 7, 2012

he was a good person, a good friend- and i appreciate the years we knew one another and kept in touch. he was an honest research person
who let people speak for themselves. i will miss our occasional conversations.].....sylvia thompson

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