Obituary of Robert J. Griffin

Robert J. Griffin, Sr. Robert J. Griffin, Sr., 90, of Rome passed away, Sunday, November 10, 2013 At Rome Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Rome, NY, on November 11, 1922 son of the late James E. and Edith Jenny Griffin. He enlisted in the US Army on his twentieth birthday, proudly serving his country from November 11, 1942 until he was honorably discharged on February 2, 1946. Bob received the WWII Victory Medal, American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. On October 26, 1946 he married Frederica (Freddie) Rosenburgh in St. Peter's Church. She passed away on July 17, 1984. He later married Ann Sarni in December 1985, who passed away in 1994. Mr. Griffin was co-owner of Varflex Corporation with his two brothers and sister until 1974. His many innovations at Varflex showed an inventive mind. He also had many other inventions which are too numerous to mention. Bob founded a new business, X-CEL Enterprises and ran that business for seventeen years. Mr. Griffin served on the Rome Board of Education for ten years from 1965 to 1975, three of those years as President and three years as Vice President. He was very proud of his contribution to Rome. He was especially proud to be an active member of the VFW, which he participated in since the end of WWII. Bob was also a lifelong member of the Rome Elks Club and recipient of the Fifty Year Membership Award being one of the oldest members. He celebrated everyday with his family as if it was Christmas. Bob loved family gatherings and loved to bake, cook and share his creations with everyone. He loved to trout fish. His biggest hobby was his home where he lived independently up until his brief illness. The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Caballes, Dr. Yi, Dr. Seedat, and Dr. Potluri and the entire ICU Staff at Rome Memorial Hospital. Surviving are three daughters and sons-in-law, Margaret and Albert Fielding, Mary and Thomas Percival, Christine and Gary Magliocca, all of Lee Center, two sons and a daughter-in-law, Robert and Carol Griffin, Patrick Griffin and Kelli Swancott all of Rome, six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister Dorothy Griffin, a brother and sister-in-law William and Shirley Griffin all of Rome, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents James E. and Edith (Jenny) Griffin, a brother Gerald Griffin and his wives, Grace and Marilyn Griffin, and a brother-in-law James T. Griffin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Thursday, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Church, 1807 Bedford St. Rome, where relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Rome. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St. on Wednesday, from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an organization that was very personal to Bob, The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas, 66675. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.