Leo Francis Griffin of Andover, Massachusetts, loving husband and best friend to Nancy (Corey) Griffin, passed away Tuesday, August 25, after a courageous battle with cancer. Leo lived optimistically through the end and will always be cherished in our hearts.
Leo was born in Boston on November 4, 1935, a native son of Charlestown, the third oldest of nine children born to Joseph and Anna (Lyons) Griffin. Leo was educated in the Boston public school system and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1953. He served on active duty until 1957, stationed in various locations throughout Germany, Libya, Turkey and France. Following his service to his country, he returned to finish his education under the GI bill at Boston University, where he achieved a B.S. and B.A. He later completed an M.B.A. at Northeastern University.
Leo was a professional auditor and accountant, employed by the Army Audit Agency and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, wrapping his successful career serving as Director of Audit for Marshalls, Inc. Leo also gave generously of his time to town affairs, including the Finance Committee, the Computer Advisory Committee, the Climate for Learning Committee, the West Elementary PTO. He also enthusiastically coached his children’s soccer teams in Andover.
Following retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and special needs daughter, Amy. Leo visited Bermuda, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, England, Ireland, Canada and his favorite spot of all—Hawaii. He also spent plenty of time visiting his children scattered throughout the United States, with frequent visits to Virginia, New Mexico and California to share in holidays, special occasions, or simple, quiet family time.
Leo was an avid reader and writer. He could always be found with a book nearby, and even authored two of his own, “Retail Auditing: A Practitioner’s Guide” in 1998 and “Bunker Hill Day” in 2014. His greatest passion, however, was his family. He was a devoted husband, a caring father, and he excelled in the role of grandfather to his eight grandchildren.
He is survived by his five children as well, Michael and Amy (Curtin) Griffin of Chico, CA and their two daughters, Kallie and Aisling; Kathleen (Griffin) and David Myers of Suwanee, GA and their two sons, Kevin and Connor; Mary Beth Griffin of Corrales, NM and her two children, Emily and Maxwell Macy; Daniel and Melanie (Thurston) Griffin of Tewksbury, MA and their two sons, Jack and William; and Amy Griffin of Andover, MA. He is also survived by his siblings, his brothers William Griffin and his wife Anne; Stephen Griffin, Paul Griffin and his wife Mary, all of Charlestown; by Peter Griffin and his wife Charlene of Tiburon, DE; Ellen (Griffin) and Bob Atkinson of Northbridge, MA. He is predeceased by his brother Joseph Griffin and his sisters Anne and Mary Griffin. Leo also leaves many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 28, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. in St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 198 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover, MA. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in North Tewksbury, MA. Family and friends may call TODAY (Thursday, August 27, 2015) from 4 to 8 P.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA. To send an online condolence or for more information please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.