Obituary of Roy Patrick Griffin

Griffin, Roy Patrick age 84 of Montville at rest in Pequannock on September 11, 2009. Beloved husband of Ann (nee Balestrino) Griffin of Montville. Loving father of Cynthia (nee Griffin) Flackman and her husband Robert C. Flackman, Jr. of Montville. Dear grandfather of Stephanie and Abigail Flackman. The third son of Irene (nee Rooney) and Timothy Griffin, he was predeceased by four beloved brothers in adulthood - Edward, Charles, John and Timothy - and six siblings in childhood. Survivors include dear sisters-in-law, Yolanda (nee Balestrino) Kay of Wyoming and Annamae (nee Balestrino) Goldberg of Egg Harbor, beloved nieces, nephews, and brothers-in-law. Born in Paterson on October 15, 1924, he was a football star at Central High School, where he played the position of fullback and earned the nickname "green hornet" for his speed. He joined the US Navy during W.W. II, where he served in every theatre of the war, earning honors for the invasion of the Philippines. He proudly served the City of Paterson as a member of its police force for 30 years, eventually earning the rank of Detective Sergeant in charge of Community Relations. He entered the political arena as Councilman-at Large in 1981, eventually holding the position of Council President. He was a dedicated member of the Great Falls Festival Committee, the Paterson PBA and the Reiser Club and served on the 1976 Bicentennial Committee. Actively involved in drug prevention, youth counseling and programs for senior citizens, he served with Murray House for mentally challenged adults as well as the Preakness Children's Shelter. In his early years, Mr. Griffin was a member of the Emerald Society and the Diamond Gloves Boxing League. He has lived in Montville since 1991. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd, Totowa, on Saturday at 9:00 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at St. Pius X R.C. Church, Montville at 10:00 AM. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Friends may call Thursday 7-9 PM and Friday 2-4 & 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, PO BOX 50, Memphis, TN 38101-0050 would be appreciated. For more information, go to www.festamemorial.com.