John Henry Griffin, Jr.

John Henry "Jack" Griffin, Jr., 84, of Newburg, Maryland and Dennisport, Massachusetts passed away October 2, 2015 at home with his family. He was the beloved husband of Janet Marie (McKeever) Griffin to whom he was married for almost 62 years. Born in Boston, MA on February 2, 1931, he was the son of John Henry Griffin, Sr. and Nora (Heffernan) Griffin. John and Janet raised their family and resided in Attleboro Falls for nearly thirty years before retiring and splitting their time between Newburg, MD and Dennisport, MA. John was a graduate of Stoneham High School and received his Associates Degree in electrical engineering. He proudly served our country as a Master Sargeant in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1974. During his exemplary service, John was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. While in the Air Force, John traveled the world calibrating atomic clocks and was very proud of his service in the Honor Guard. After serving 24 years, John spent his civilian life as a Service Manager at GE Medical Systems and Johnson & Johnson, retiring in 1998. He was a member of the North Attleboro Elks Lodge 1011 and the Harry White Wilmer American Legion Post 82 in La Plata, MD. John was a man who enjoyed Irish coffees with his brother-in-law, playing horseshoes with his dear friends, playing cards, playing basketball, watching the Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics, and never missed an episode of Jeopardy. During his retirement he enjoyed traveling with his wife, family and friends to St. Thomas, Mexico, Hawaii and other destinations. In addition to his wife, Janet, John is survived by his cherished children: Beverly Pierce, and her husband, David K. Pierce, of Bellingham, MA; Barbara Griffin of Rehoboth, MA and a son-in-law, Ken Karpowich of Stow, ME. He was predeceased by his oldest daughter, Bernadette Karpowich. He also leaves four sisters: Jacqueline Uprichard of Norton; Evelyn Gallagher and her husband, John, of Stoneham; Patricia Curley of Peabody; and Geraldine Ciulla of Peabody; his grandchildren: Kristopher, Kurt and Kara Karpowich of Stow, ME; DJ, Drew and Bernadette Pierce of Bellingham and Jack Griffin of Rehoboth. John was blessed with many very special nieces and nephews, his extended family, and dear friends. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on the left) Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Children's room is available during visitation and while the funeral cortege is being organized. Those in need of a local ride to visitation may call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such complimentary transportation. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. from the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church, 105 Stanley Street (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, turn right onto Stanley Street in ½ mile and travel to end of Stanley Street), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with the Rev. Thomas A. Frechette, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be held privately in the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA on February 1,2016. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John's memory to Hope Hospice at 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an on-line guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200