Benjamin W. ‘Griff’ Griffith of Southampton Dies May 21

Benjamin W. "Griff' Griffith of Southampton died on May 21 at the East End Hospice Kanas Center for Hospice Care on Quiogue after a brief illness. He was 77.

He was born on February 25, 1946, in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, to Benjamin and Theresa Griffith. He spent his childhood in Plymouth, and upon his high school graduation, played minor league baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates for a period of time.

Thereafter, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and was stationed at the Suffolk County Air Force Base in Westhampton Beach. His military service included a tour of duty at Da Nang Air Force Base in Vietnam for a year. He later returned to the Suffolk County Air Force Base until his discharge in 1968.

In his return to civilian life, Griffith worked for an electrician for several years before accepting a position as a title examiner in Riverhead until his retirement in 2006.

He also rekindled his friendship with a young nurse, Patricia Kelling, whom he had met earlier while serving on Long Island. They were married in June 1968, and would have celebrated 55 years of marriage this month. They built their forever home in Southampton, where they raised their two sons.

In his retirement, Griffith devoted his time to gardening and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Southampton and Potunk Masonic Lodge #1071 in Westhampton Beach.

The family said they would like to thank everyone for their prayers, support and loving care during his illness, especially the Southampton Hospital ICU Unit; the Kanas Center for Hospice Care on Quiogue; Father Patrick Edwards, rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church, and Dominick Abbate of Brocketts Funeral Home.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his sons, Benjamin Jr. (Traci) of Patchogue, Aaron (Ashley) of Trussville, Alabama; his grandchildren, Noah, Trevor, Nona and Nicolas; his brother, Irving Wolfe (Georgene) of Shickshinny, Pennsylvania; his sisters Marie Wilson (Rick) of Noxen, Pennsylvania, and Elizabeth Burke of Dallas, Pennsylvania; cousin Bonnie Gathman (Randy) of Matthews, North Carolina, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Southampton on May 26. Burial was at Calverton National Cemetery with Air Force honors.

Memorial donations in his honor can be made to East End Hospice in Westhampton Beach (eeh.org).