Donald Griffin Of Westhampton Beach Dies March 31 - 27 East

Donald Griffin Of Westhampton Beach Dies March 31

icon 2 Photos
Andrew Spindler Antiques will bring signature pieces like this large 19th century painted cast iron Griffin. COURTESY EAST HAMPTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Andrew Spindler Antiques will bring signature pieces like this large 19th century painted cast iron Griffin. COURTESY EAST HAMPTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The funeral procession for Westhampton Beach Fire Department member Don Griffin passes by the firehouse on Saturday morning. COURTESY WESTHAMPTON BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT

The funeral procession for Westhampton Beach Fire Department member Don Griffin passes by the firehouse on Saturday morning. COURTESY WESTHAMPTON BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT

author on Apr 4, 2019

Donald Webb Griffin died on March 31, 2019, at his home in Westhampton Beach, of cancer. He was 84 at the time of his death, and would have been married 62 years on April 21.

Born in Southampton on December 11, 1934, he attended Southampton Public Schools, graduating in 1952. Excelling in sports, Mr. Griffin was the catcher on the 1951 baseball team, when Southampton won the Suffolk County Championship for the first time.

He graduated from Cortland State College in 1956 with a degree in health education. After graduation, he accepted a job teaching science in Westhampton Beach, where he started in the junior high school and eventually taught biology in the high school, where he remained until his retirement 36 years later.

In 1957, he married his high school “sweetheart” May Frankenbach. They moved to Westhampton Beach, where they raised their four children. Mr. Griffin loved teaching and coaching, especially baseball and soccer. He also umpired baseball games for many years and kept the clock at basketball and wrestling matches.

He was a member of the Westhampton Presbyterian Church for many years and served on the Session as well, as a trustee, and as a deacon.

After his marriage, his second life commitment was to the Westhampton Beach Fire Department, where he served as a volunteer for more than 60 years. During his time he was president of the Benevolent Association, treasurer, driver, fire policeman and a fire education instructor. Other firemen often joked that he slept in his clothes, because he was usually the first responder to arrive at the firehouse.

Having a family was a priority, but having fun was important too. He enjoyed boating and going to the beach with his family. He and his wife also loved to travel and were avid campers who started in a tent and then eventually owned a Winnebago motor home. They were proud to boast that they slept in every state except Hawaii.

Mr. Griffin is survived by his wife, May; and four children, Gail Klepper and husband Mark of Remsenburg, Greg Griffin of Southampton, Gaye Bugenhagen and husband Jay of Annapolis, and Gini Wagner and husband Bryan of East Quogue; a brother, Graham of Bridgehampton, and seven grandchildren, Jenna, Alyssa, David, Matt, Jake, Taylor and Griffin.

Memorial donations may be made to Westhampton Beach Fire Department Benevolent Fund, the Westhampton Beach Fire Department Scholarship, or the Hurricane Education Foundation through the Westhampton Beach School District.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Werner-Rothwell Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach.

You May Also Like:

St. Mark's Episcopal Church Marks 100 Years of Serving Westhampton Beach

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Westhampton Beach has been helping residents with matters of faith ... 6 Jul 2025 by Dan Stark

The New Standard

The editorial dunce cap for “creeping authoritarianism” [“Gold Stars and Dunce Caps,” Editorial, July 3] awarded to the president for his anger at the deliberate leak of a premature intelligence assessment by an individual acting solely out of malice in an attempt to discredit the administration’s recent outstanding U.S. military action in Iran: It certainly was in stark contrast to Joe Biden’s management of our withdrawal from Afghanistan that cost 13 Marines their lives and bore witness to an America that no longer would be held in respect for its ability to project power. The leak was a political stunt ... by Staff Writer

See the Reality

Magic acts are based on illusion and distraction. The audience is looking at the fancy handwork while things appear and disappear. Just so have the MAGA Republicans fooled the majority of their base. Being woke is the distraction — women who have abortions, people who are transgender, or gay, or pro-Palestinian, or illegal immigrants, or whatever else are the root of our problems. Mired in economic despair, people are somehow made to feel that massively wealthy people are their kin, not immigrants desperate for food and a roof over their heads. Here in the Hamptons, as in the bowels of ... by Staff Writer

Dodged a Bullet

After reading John Avlon’s “Viewpoint” [“Frustrated? Here Are Three Things You Can Do,” Opinion, July 3], Suffolk County was so right in not electing a candidate who projects misery, because the American voters see things differently than he does. Democrats seem to think democracy only works if they win — otherwise, its called fascism. John, you and the Democratic Party are not victims. The Democratic Party is dead in America. The fact that the Democratic Party elected a communist in New York City to represent the party is the cherry on top. America is not about free stuff — it’s ... by Staff Writer

Guided by Reason

I am writing in response to the recent multi-page Q&A article, “School Board Member: Students Shortchanged,” published in The Southampton Press on July 3. The piece presents a narrative about the Southampton School Board that is, at best, incomplete and at worst, misleading. While I respect the intent to spotlight district concerns, it’s troubling that no effort was made to verify the accuracy or context of statements, some directly or indirectly referencing me. The result is a divisive and unbalanced portrayal that undermines the board’s integrity and the community’s trust. Our residents deserve truthful dialogue, accurate reporting and responsible journalism. ... by Staff Writer

A Blight

Southampton Town now has four ugly, blighted properties: 7Zs Swimming Pool, Bel-Aire Cove Motel property, Getty gas station and the former Casa Basso Restaurant. The first three have been vacant for many years. They are a blight on our community. They look like Superfund sites. Casa Basso was purchased recently. We don’t understand why the town bought it when their priorities should have been fixing up, or beautifying, the first three first. Bel-Aire Cove is supposed to become a “passive park” with six parking spaces. If the park gets used or becomes successful, the town might add a bathroom and ... by Staff Writer

In Search of a Lyme Vaccine

Three decades ago, after writing about people undergoing severe cases of Lyme disease in Suffolk County, I chose to get shots of a vaccine that had just become available designed to prevent the disease happening after a bite of a Lyme-carrying tick. It was 1998, and what was called LYMErix was introduced that year to counter Lyme disease. I went to our family physician, Dr. Daniel Lessner in Sag Harbor, since retired, for a series of three vaccinations. There were no side effects. Making a judgment on a negative is problematic, but in following years, although bitten by ticks, I ... by Karl Grossman

'We Are All Jews Here'

Some of you may have noticed that often a “Road Yet Taken” column is tied to an anniversary. Not this time — for two reasons. One is, because of all the political divisiveness and especially antisemitism going around, I decided it was time to tell the story of someone who inspires us to be better people. Two: This is a salute to the folks who, Sunday after Sunday, in all kinds of weather, gather at the windmill in Sag Harbor to protest the violence in Gaza. Recently, a group supporting Israel has been having its own protest a few feet ... by Tom Clavin

Born in The Hamptons, 'Jaws' Turns 50

It is the summer of “Jaws,” and many are wondering whether 50 years is long ... 5 Jul 2025 by Michael Wright

East End Historical Societies and Museums Join Forces for Long Island History Hunt

Long Island museums and historical societies have teamed up to host the Long Island History ... 4 Jul 2025 by Dan Stark