Robert E. Griffin Jr., age 80 of Fairview Park, passed away July 15th, 2024 at his residence. He was born October 11th, 1943 in Cleveland to the late Colette and Robert E. Griffin Sr.
After 45 years of service, Bob retired as an electrician from the I.B.E.W. Local 38 in Cleveland.
Bob was a longtime volunteer with the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. He was a member of the Erie Shore Ski Club, the Cleveland Metro Ski Council and the 70 + Ski Club. Bob enjoyed ski racing and gardening, was an avid tennis player, and loved playing the piano and guitar.
Bob was the loving father of John Griffin and Lisa Griffin-Bohm; grandfather of Stephen Bohm; brother of Joan (Jerry-deceased) Cahill, Jim (Sally) Griffin, Patricia Monreal and Nancy (Ray) Wilson; cousin of Sr. Jacquelyn Gusdane SND; uncle of many nieces and nephews.
The Griffin family will receive friends and family from 2:00 – 5:00 PM Sunday, July 21st, 2024 at Jeff Monreal Funeral Home, 1000 Mentor Ave., Painesville.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine- Anatomical Gift Program www.givecampus.com/campaigns/20437/donations/new
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36 Replies to “Robert E. Griffin Jr.”
So sorry for your loss prayers are with you during this difficult time.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your dear dad. He was a great man and I have many memories of him I worked with him on many jobs.
Don Murphy
Having Bob as a neighbor was a privilege, he will be missed. Known to the kids as Mr. Bob, they would hear his piano and singing and say his abilities were legendary. Mr. Bob returned every basketball, baseball, or toy that went astray in his garden or bushes with a smile. His garden fed the deer and animals more than him, but he planted every year with care. Just a few memories of many.
So sorry for your loss. What a great guy, he was so much fun, so good to everybody. He will be missed,
Known Bob since 1989 via Erie Shore Ski Club. Always was upbeat with a great smile! We last spoke this Spring. He will be missed.
What a shock! Bob was so full of life! I loved racing against him even when he beat me. This is a huge loss to the ski community. RIP Bob! You are now skiing perfect powder every day in heaven. Peace to your family and friends.
KEEP UM’ POINTED DOWNHILL TUCK AND GO WITH GOD
WARREN
Enjoy being a friend of Bob
Bob had no ego.
He had that rare quality of being interested in what other people said and did and never bragged anything about his accomplishments. Well, maybe about his great crop of lettuce in his garden. He had a wonderful mischievous nature in his fun loving life making him an example of what we all should follow. He loved life and what it offered and always had a positive outlook.
Two incidents really stand out in my mind.
The first being on an ESSC trip out west I was in charge of. There was Bob, incognito dressed to the hilt as a well endowed female with long blonde hair, cruising along to the shock and amusement of everyone on the slope.
He was my hero. He was the start, and star, of the best trip I ever ran.
The second was several years later after I resigned as “Trip Chairman” with ESSC when he invited my wife and I to lunch. I didn’t know the purpose until he started asking me many, many questions about what I did to make the trips successful in all areas from beginning to end. I was struck with his humbleness and inquisitive nature. He squeezed every bit of information out of me. What also impressed me was few people taking over a position like that would not go to his predecessor for information.
He was great fun, enthusiastic, and humble guy that I thought highly of.
I first met Bob when I was living in Denver and he was in Colorado to ski but showed up at tango classes to dance while he was in the area. We had a lovely tango connection when we danced. When my partner and I retired to Cleveland, we were happy to get to know Bob better. I last saw him May 11 when he joined us at the Cedar Lee theater for the HD production of Madama Butterfly. He told me then of his health issue. From then till 7/6, we were in touch by text. What amazed me was how brave and gentle he was as he faced this painful time. My heart goes out to the family and other friends.
His smile says it all. Bob loved life and lived it every day. Family was always his priority and everyone that knows him would agree. Gentle, kind and thoughtful with a laugh that was so contagious. Bob was also talented, competitive and tough and would take on a challenge. I can only smile and remember him this way!
It is a sad day indeed . Bob has led the Erie Shore group and loved to ski so much! Craig and I will miss his humor and leadership. RIP Dear Bob
Peace and Comfort to his Family and Friends
Sorry to hear the loss of Bob. I went on several ski trips with him and he was always first class, gracious, and inclusive. Bob will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to the family.
So sorry for your loss. Some of my best memories were from ski races and parties with Bob.
He was such a remarkable skier and leader with the Erie Shore Ski club. I will miss him. Good .emories.
Bob was a nice person to go skiing and I took a trip to China that he was on. Nice to know him.
Gone too soon. How heavy my heart is for the family of this kind man. Bob helped me through the sickness and death of my own father of cancer in 2021. He was such a light for me in his love of piano and classical music performances. Bob will be dearly missed. My heart and thoughts in this sorrowful time to all his family and friends.
Bob was a true gentle man. He always had a beautiful smile for everyone. Bob will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. May Bob’s memories be eternal. Condolences to his family.
We are shocked and saddened by the news. We Michiganders met Bob three years ago when he attended a 70+ ski event at Nubs Nob in Harbor Springs, MI. Since them we have met up with him again in Nubs Nob as well as Banff/Lake Louise, Big Sky, and Snowmass multiple times. Our group were already looking forward to next years trips when he emailed us about his cancer diagnosis. We were so hopeful that the treatments would be effective. We have lost such a fun supportive and lovable member of our group. We miss you Bob.
I will miss my friend. Rest easy old timer.
As a trip coordinator he taught me so much…And he was so joyful and energetic. I do remember him building an anatomical family outside our condo doors in Frisco.He also dressed as a well endowed bunny one Easter. Since we moved to Frisco over 20 years ago, he came to visit every year at least once a year. This year he came twice , and we planned to visit him in August. So sad it didn’t happen.
Bob also found out that I liked NEIL DIAMOND. He brought his electric piano, guitar and played and sang lots of Diamond’s tunes. What a guy! We will miss him and the energy he brought into our house, there will never be another talented, dedicated skier that enjoyed life to the fullest!
Met your Dad on a few 70’s plus ski club trips. He loved to ski & I remember him leading a group around the mountain making sure everyone could ski the slopes & not get lost. Always smiling & helping. So sad when I heard he was diagnosed & now of his passing.
I talked to Bob just over a week ago and he was so gracious and humble. I think we both thought that he would have some time left but he probably knew more than he would let on. In reading all the comments above, we all agree that Bob Griffin was not only a very talented man and a wonderful skier, but one of the most humble and compassionate people I have known. He made a person feel so special and I saw that great quality on all our ski trips from the first time I met Bob in Banff, before Covid. The end came too quickly for me…I had too much still to tell Bob.. but I know he is at peace and out of pain. I wish wonderful memories to his family and friends all over this country. I will miss my skiing buddy. Love you, Bob
A great friend who I will miss. Even though I haven’t seen in a while, I always enjoyed working with Bob. I remember playing chess with him at lunch on jobs that we worked together. He always amazed me, that he was still skying well after he retired. It was a pleasure to be his friend.
God’s speed my dear cousin.
You will truly be missed!
Bob was the best petition partner! It was such a joy to work a table with him. I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a great man.
I met Bob through the Fairview Park Democratic club. He was always friendly, welcoming, and volunteered his time for the betterment of the community. I’m very sad to hear of his passing. My best wishes go to all of his family and friends at this time.
John – In addition to all the fun and great memories we all had over the years, my mother would attend a few Erie Shore Ski Club events years ago and say what a gentleman he is and he certainly was:
We are deeply saddened and want to send our deepest sympathy to Bob’s family. He had tremendous passion for skiing and ski racing, and the mountains were his true home. He found joy and freedom on the slopes, and his adventurous spirit was an inspiration to all who knew him.
Bob was more than just an avid skier; he was a cherished friend whose laughter and zest for life brightened even the coldest days. His memory will forever be etched in the trails he carved and in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Though he is no longer with us, I find comfort in knowing he lived life to the fullest, doing what he loved most. We will miss him deeply, but his spirit will continue to glide alongside us on every snowy descent and cheer for us at every finishline!
We will never again see his smile and feel his kindness. He organized wonderful ski trips and summer picnics, happy hours. He had so many talents and interests and boundless energy. He joined us at performances of the talented Helen Welch. We are grateful for your friendship.
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. To add to his accomplishments, Bob was also an advid dancer who attended many of our dance classes and events. He was always a ladies man on the dance floor. He also ran a few ski trips for the Village Ski Shop up to New York. He will be missed by many.
I was so sad when I heard the news. I am a member of the 70+ ski club; Bob and I kept in touch in the phone quite a bit since his diagnosis. We had talked the week before he passed and he seemed in good spirits, even though I knew his pain never subsided. He was a terrific person and it was an honor and pleasure to know him.
Bob was a great friend of mine. Enjoyed skiing with him, being with him and playing bridge with him at Snowshoe.
He was a true man for all ages. Will miss your spirit and energy. Always keep them pointed downhill.
I first met Bob when we were both CMSC representatives for our ski clubs. His welcoming smile could light up the room. He was always so friendly and kind to everyone. It was a privilege to be his friend. Such a great skier and so talented and funny. John, may the wonderful memories of your dad comfort you and your family during this difficult time.
It was such a pleasure to ski and travel with Bob over the past few seasons. He was always gracious and a joy to be around. He will be sorely missed. Sincere condolences to all his loved ones.
So sorry for the loss of your dad. Such a great man. Always met me with a warm smile and a kind gesture. His enthusiasm for the sport of snow skiing was unparalleled to anyone. He was a member of the Warren Ski Club and joined us on many of our adventures. WSC will sadly miss him. A true champion for the sport of snow skiing.
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