FRANKLIN—Joseph H. Griffith Jr. 90, of Franklin, passed away peacefully, at the Memory Care Community of Whitcomb House in Milford on Wednesday March 10, 2010. He was the husband of the late Ruth I. (Nell) Griffith, to whom he was married for 60 years before her death in February 2006.
He was born in Republic, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1920 a son of the late Joseph H. Griffith Sr. and Madge (Pancoast) Griffith, and had spent his childhood years in Youngstown, Ohio.
In 1941 he entered the Army from Manning, SC. He earned his pilot’s wings and served in the European and Mediterranean Theaters of Operations during World War II earning numerous commendations. He also flew missions in the Korean Conflict and in Viet Nam before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after a 28 year career in the Air Force.
After his retirement from the Air Force, he earned his Master’s Degree from the College of William and Mary and taught government and political science at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, VA, and retired as Professor Emeritus from that institution.
He enjoyed golf, traveling and bridge throughout his life and was a longtime member of Grace Episcopal Church in Yorktown, VA where he served as a vestry member, lay reader, and chalice minister.
He is survived by Joe and Lee Griffith of Franklin, and C. William Griffith, II and Luis Cosme of Barcelona, Spain: seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; two sisters Lois Booth of Great Falls, VA and Leila Flavell of Findlay, OH.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Service on Sunday March 14, 2010 in the Charles F. Oteri & Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. (www.franklinfuneral.com) at 2PM.
Interment services will be held in Youngstown, Ohio.
Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home from 1:30-2PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace Episcopal Church P.O. Box 123 Yorktown, VA 23692, or Milford Regional Medical Center Cardiovascular Services 14 Prospect St. Milford, MA 01757 or a charity of your choice.