William J. Griffin Jr.

William J. Griffin Jr. - "Bill" - passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2022. He was 72.

He was born in Philadelphia on August 29, 1949 to the late William J. and Josephine (Tolve) Griffin Sr., grew up in Roslyn, PA, and attended St. John of the Cross Grade School and Bishop McDevitt High School (‘67).

Bill graduated from Saint Leo University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a minor in education. At Saint Leo University, Bill was a founding brother of the Sigma Lambda Fraternity and President of the freshman class. Bill would go on to became an active member of the Saint Leo University Alumni Association including holding the office of President multiple times.

After university, Bill served six years in the United States Army National Guard with a honorable discharge. Bill also taught at Plymouth Junior High School, where he met and fell in love “at first sight” with his wife Eleanor of 48 years.

Bill was a gregarious man whose enthusiasm for life was infectious. His bigger than life personality included civic participation, community leadership, and membership in countless groups throughout his life. Bill was currently active as a Board of Director of the Commercial Club, the MSS Society, and Pope John Paul II High School, as well as a member of Holy Saviour church.

Bill was an entrepreneur who founded, owned, and operated, as President, his business - Griffin and Griffin Financial Services. He always considered himself blessed to have had the opportunity to mentor and work with his son B.J.

Bill was an avid Phillies fan who held season tickets for over fifty years. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, and American history. One of Bill’s greatest joys was traveling the world (from Hong Kong to Alaska to South Africa) with Eleanor. His love of traveling began 50 years ago with the opening of Walt Disney World (as did his Disney mania!).

Above all, Bill was extremely proud of his family. He loved being a husband, being an active dad that was involved in his children’s lives, and was obsessed with his grandchildren. Never missing a soccer match, basketball or baseball game, track meet, Kung Fu tournament, dance recital, Boy Scouts, or a show, Bill “Pop” was the #1 fan.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife Eleanor (Bono) Griffin; children: William “B.J.” (Lisa) Griffin III, Marusia (Joseph) Lynn, and Patrick (Jaclyn) Griffin; two sisters: CarolAnn Gleason and Sandra Woodland; fraternity brother and best friend William "Buff" Meneely; predeceased by two sisters: Deborah Gisondi and Carmela Griffin; and ten grandchildren: John Brocagh (13), Joseph Griffin (12), Will IV (11), Eleanore (10), Emily (9) Coco (8), Bradman (6), Alexander (6), Stephen (3), & Lucy (3 mo). 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Monday evening January 10 from 6 to 8 PM and Tuesday from 9 to 9:45AM at the Holy Saviour Church 407 E. Main St., Norristown. Funeral mass will follow Tuesday at 10 AM.  Burial will be in St. Patrick cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to “The Gift Of Life” in Bill’s honor. As a Lung Transplant survivor of 2 years and 8 months, this organization truly gave him and us our miracle of “the gift of life”.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of the Volpe Funeral home.

Volpefh.com

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