John L. Griffin of Southampton died on December 5 at Southampton Hospital. He was 88.
Graduating from Southampton High School in 1952, he entered the NROTC program at the University of Rochester as a midshipman. It was there that he met Susan Bartlett, who he married in 1957. They were married for 50 years.
Griffin was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1956, entering basic training in Quantico, Virginia, and subsequent naval flight training at NASA in Pensacola, Florida, earning his wings in 1958. NASA gave his squadron the job of developing the recovery techniques for the Project Mercury Capsule, whereby he was selected as one of the recovery pilots.
After transitioning to the Marine Corps Active Reserves in 1960, Griffin returned to Southampton in 1962, where he joined the family business, Griffin Painting, LLC. He started as a shopman, working alongside old-world craftsmen, eventually becoming a master artisan in decorative painting and in the historical restoration field. He brought precision and attention to detail, along with a high standard of excellence, to every project.
Immersed in the local community, Griffin was a pillar of and ardent contributor to the eastern Long Island historic, music and art scenes, his family said. Specific institutions he was involved in or with include the Sag Harbor Community Band, Big Band East, the Sag Harbor Whaling and History Museum, the North Sea Community Association, the Parrish Art Museum, Halsey House, Emma Rose Elliston Park, Peconic Land Trust, Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge, and the North Sea Burial Cemetery. Over the years, he was a member of Southampton Bathing Corp., Southampton Golf Club, and the Southampton Bath and Tennis Club. He also served on the Southampton Board of Education, and served on the vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
In conjunction with serving his community, his work with the Southampton History Museum was of particular significance. A replica of the fourth-generation family paint shop, “Fordham and Elliston,” is a permanent installation on its grounds.
In 2001, Griffin became involved in the Marine Helicopter Squadron 361 Veterans Association restoration of a Sikorsky Vietnam-era H-34 helicopter and was re-certified to fly as one of its pilots. “YN-19” served as a flying memorial, often with Griffin at the controls. In 2013, John flew “YN-19” on its final mission to the U.S. Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Virginia, where it now resides in its rotunda.
In his golden years, he enjoyed his wonderful new life with his beloved wife, Carol Lee. They spent countless hours together doing volunteer work for local historical preservation groups, attending gatherings with longtime friends and family. Griffin enjoyed playing his trumpet with fellow musicians at local events for the Town of Southampton and Village of Sag Harbor. Flying helicopters and refurbishing the Vietnam-era Sikorsky helicopter were his passions. He also enjoyed spending time watching sunrises and sunsets with his wife while on vacation trips to New England and the South.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Lee V. Griffin; his daughters, Martha T. Griffin and Sarah A. Bollman; his son-in-law, Steven A. Bollman; his step-daughters, Lisa J. Janke and her husband Donald J. Janke, and Laura Beth Strong and her husband Jay A. Strong; and his step-son, Louis D. Secari and his wife, Christina Secari; his grandchildren, Emily O. Wilson, Claire M. Bollman, Jesmond A. Bollman; step-grandchildren Christian, Emma and Lyla Secari, Devin L. Janke, and Eliza S. Strong; and his three nieces, Barbara S. Seaman, Cynthia Sax, and Nancy Malehorn.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 18, at the St. Andrew’s Dune Church in Southampton at 3 p.m.
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