By the family
Feb. 16, 2022: David H. Griffin, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather died on Friday, February 11, 2022 at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, New York. David was known for his love, charity and generosity throughout his life providing emotional, financial and moral support for many individuals and organizations, often quietly and without notice. He was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Griffin International, Inc. a construction dewatering firm.
Born in Yonkers, New York in 1925 to Timothy G. Griffin and Emily Hazel Hancock Griffin. David attended the Yonkers Schools and Riverdale Country School. He went to high school and graduated from Oxford Academy in Pleasantville New Jersey. During the Second World War he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed in the Pacific Theater and was Honorably Discharged in 1946 in Seattle, Washington. He then headed south to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of becoming a movie actor and professional tap dancer. Not long after arriving in Los Angeles, he was strongly encouraged by his father to leave his tap-dancing shoes behind and return to Bronxville and enroll in college. He enrolled in Lehigh University and graduated with a degree in Business Administration.
Upon graduation from Lehigh University, he went to work for the family business, Griffin Wellpoint Corporation, a construction and foundation dewatering business located in the Bronx, New York. In 1956 he assumed control of the business following the unexpected death of his father. David grew the business from a regional construction business to a national organization with offices around the country and established an international presence in construction dewatering. During this time, he also was President of Griffin Technics, Inc. a water purification company through which he developed water purification practices and technologies in the 1970s which were novel at the time but have become the industry standard of water purification.
In 1951 he met the love of his life Dolores Cregan in Tarrytown, New York. They married in 1952 and were happily married for 69 years. He was highly anticipating their 70th wedding anniversary this November. He is survived by his beloved wife Dolores (Cregan); he had three children Maggie (Jim) Marrone, Timothy (Lauri) Griffin, Katie (Mike) Donnelly; eleven grand children: Matthew (C.C.) Marrone; Katherine Marrone; Luke Marrone; David P. Griffin; Molly Ann (Ryan) Maloney; Timothy Griffin; Michela Griffin; Emily Griffin; Liam Griffin; Kayleigh (Ryan) Mentnech; Melissa Donnelly and two great granddaughters: Crosby Marrone and Romily Marrone. His grandson, Christopher Marrone, predeceased David and will welcome him in Heaven. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and dear lifelong friends.
David was known as an avid art collector throughout his life appreciating and collecting the works of many world famous European, American and Asian artists. He loved to travel the world with his beloved wife and family and impressed upon his children the importance of travel and learning from other cultures. Above all he loved, cherished and was so proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Calling Hours at the Fred H. McGrath & Son Funeral Home, Bronxville between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. on Wednesday February 16, 2022. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Church, Bronxville, on Thursday February 17, 2022 at 9:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and/or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
