Salem - Robert “Bob” C. Griggs Jr., loving husband and father, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital, with his family by his side, after a long battle with Lymphoma on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at the age of 70. He was the devoted husband to Donna (LeBlanc), to whom he was married for just shy of 50 years.
Bob was born on May 14, 1950 in Lynn, Mass. to the late Robert and Genevieve (DiFillipo) Griggs. He graduated from Lynn Vocational and Technical High School in 1967. During that time, he won the Silver Mittens Boxing Title with the Lynn Boxing Club. Bob went to Wentworth Institute where he earned a certificate in Machine Tooling. He then joined the Army Reserves where he earned the rank of E6, Staff Sergeant, with the 283rd Transportation Company.
Bob was first employed as a machinist by Evans Industries and then Moore Manufacturing. He was then employed by Verizon for over 30 years as a repair technician until his retirement in 2003.
Bob’s greatest joy was being with his family. Survived by his wife Donna, and their two daughters, Tara and Tanya, nothing brought Bob more happiness than “his three best girls.” He never went a day without telling them how much he loved them and he gave the best hugs. One of his favorite things was taking vacations with the whole family, whether it be to New Hampshire, Disney World, or Hawaii. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than to just be with his “troops”. Being a World War II buff, a trip to Normandy with Donna and walking on the sands of Omaha Beach was a cherished experience for Bob.
There was nothing that Bob could not fix or jerry rig. He loved puttering around the house or around the yard and tinkering with his cars.
Bob was known for his unwavering principles and ethics and his attention to detail. He was always willing to lend a helping hand whether it be with hands-on help, advice, cable ties or duct tape. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. He is now with his Rosie girl, giving her all the pats, snuggles and treats that she so loved getting from her Grampy.
A resident of Salem since marriage, Bob is survived by his wife, Donna, his two daughters and the sons (he never had)-in-laws, Tara and Chuck Barton of Salem and Tanya and Jamie Mateer of Framingham; his cherished grandchildren, Ethan and Abby Mateer;his beloved mother-in-law Teresa (Leo) LeBlanc of Salem; his in-laws, Raymond and Doris LeBlanc of Salem and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the extraordinary nurses at MGH Lunder 10 for the exceptional care and love they gave to Bob. There are too many names to list but a special thank you to his favorite nurse, Melissa and Nurse Practitioner, Jack.
Visiting hours will be on Thursday, March 18, 2021 from 4-8 pm at Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Route 114 / 1-A] Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. His funeral will be held on Friday, March 19, 2021 from the Levesque Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 am at St. Anne’s Church , Salem, MA. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem, MA. Those who prefer; may make donations in memory of Bob to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. All guests must wear protective face masks, maintain social distancing and refrain from physical contact with family members.
For guestbook and to send a message of support to his family, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com