Clarence L. “Griff” Griffin

Clarence L. “Griff” Griffin, Jr., age 86, of Kenosha, passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on July 20, 1930, in the family home in Lockport, NY, to Mary Katherine (Kastner) and Clarence L. Griffin, Sr.

He attended Washington Hunt, Walnut Street, Emmet Belknap and Lockport Senior High where he graduated in 1948.  He went on to the New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Buffalo, NY, where he received his Associate Degree in Electrical Technology.  One of his greatest accomplishments was obtaining his Eagle Scout Award in 1947, which would not have happened without the fantastic support of his father.

Griff met the love of his life, Janet Marie Cook in 1947.  On Thanksgiving Day in 1950, they became engaged and were married on March 3, 1951.  Their union was blessed with three children.

After graduation, Griff began employment in the Engineer Training program with the General Electric Company in Schenectady, NY.  He worked in various capacities and expanded his education and received his Master’s Degree from GE’s Umansky Institute.   Griff resigned from GE in 1959 and bought into Machinery Electrification, Inc. where he became New England District Manager.  The major manufacturer they represented was the Dynamatic Division of Eaton Corporation.   Griff joined the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) and was very active in the Pulp and Paper Industry Technical Committee where he held the position of Chairman.

In 1967, he was offered the position of New England District Manager for the Dynamatic Division of Eaton Corporation.  After establishing an office in Marlboro, MA, he was promoted to Sales and Marketing Director and transferred to Kenosha in 1973.  In 1980, Griff left Eaton Corporation and took the position of International Marketing Director for the Stearns Division of FMC Corp. in Milwaukee.    He subsequently became Vice President and President of the Stearns Division of Rexnord Corp.  He remained President until his retirement on August 1, 1995.

Griff touched the lives of many on his journey and left a lasting impression.  He became an explorer post advisor in Boy Scouts in 1958, had been active in his churches for over 55 years, a member of the Town of Northborough, MA, Finance Committee and the Kenosha Area Business Association, Kenosha Country Club and Rotary International where he received the Paul Harris Award.  One of his many enjoyments was traveling the world with family and friends.  He also enjoyed playing cards, sailing, tennis and being by the water; especially during sunset in Mexico with his family by his side..

He was also active in various historic groups and was a charter member of the Advisory Committee for the Division of Social Sciences at Carthage College and Kemper Center, Inc.

He was a founder of Kemper Center, Inc. and held many positions including Board Member, Board Chairman in 1998-1999, as well as chairman and member of various standing committees.  He lead the restoration of Kemper making it into a conference center plus restoring the chapel where over 100 weddings and memorial services are held each year.  His most recent restoration project was that of the observatory that was built in 1894.  In his honor, it is named the Griffin Observatory; a first for the Kenosha Area.

Griff is survived by his loving wife, Janet Marie; his three children; Deborah Jan (Robert) Giovannucci, Pamela Ann (Joel) Zimmerman and Mark Brian (Deborah Mary) Griffin; his seven grandchildren, Michael (Angela), Brian (Erica) Giovannucci, Laurie (Salam) Bendahan, Joshua (Britt) and Kyle (Ashley) Zimmerman, Mariah (Nick) Shandri and Cameron Griffin; also nine great grandchildren, Tyler, Lilly, Ava and Aiden Giovannucci and Rose Bendahan, Calvin, Kira, Reese and Griffin Zimmerman.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty and Lorraine.