George Alfred Griffin

George Alfred Griffin, USMC, died peacefully August, 11, 2019 at the Charles George Veterans Hospital in Asheville, NC of the disease of alcoholism. He was 62 years old. His last years were spent trying to better his life and that of others at the veterans center in NC. He went back to college and was trying to get a certificate in counseling to help others like himself. He even helped an administrator at Laurel Health Care co. in Garner, NC, start a support group and was great at trying to get vets to open up. He was always cheerful, a gentle, loving soul and will be sorely missed by all that knew him.

He also had a special gift his singing voice. He had started out singing with his best friend Christopher Gorman, then had a band name Zatchit. Nobody could sing “My Girl” better. Sadly, his voice is silenced. He also did construction and painting work. In the 70’s once ran in the Boston Marathon, and was the one on the PBS news that in his joy did a cartwheel over the finish line where his dad awaited him. He was ready to go: he said “I have seen the travel guide, I’m all set to go.”

George was born in Framingham, Massachusetts, the son of Edward B. Griffin and Anna (Mc Adams) Griffin. He is survived by his daughter, Colleen Clifford,  his brothers, Daniel Griffin USMC and wife Muriel, Michael E. Griffin USMC, Edward B. Griffin Jr. USMC and wife Abbie; his sisters, Gail A. (Griffin ) Nason and husband Steven R. Nason Sr., Teresa (Griffin) Crane Navy, and Maureen (Griffin) Gerrish and husband Charles; nephew Richard Crane USMC, niece Kathy Crane Deniger USMC and husband David Army, nephews Shawn Griffin, Daniel Griffin Jr, Mike Griffin, Joe Griffin and wife Tasha, Chaz Gerrish, Richard and Steve Nason Jr, Richie Griffin, nieces Laura Collamatti, Phaydra Lux, Jessie Ann Griffin, Marie Griffin Doyen and husband Dave, and Christine Pabon; and many great nieces and nephews.

He attended Framingham South High School, Framingham, MA, and AB-Tech Community College, Asheville, NC. He was a Corporal in the US Marines, stationed mostly in Hawaii.

A funeral service will be held on September 13, at 1:15 p.m., at the Massachusetts National Cemetery on Connery Avenue in Bourne, MA.

Groce Funeral Home, 1401 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806 is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Charles-George Veteran’s Medical Center Hospice Unit, Asheville, NC 28805.