John Bernard Griffin Jr., age 78, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Cortland, New York, died peacefully with daughter, Trina by his side on May 19, 2024, at the Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie. He was born on July 5, 1945, in Cortland, to John Bernard Griffin Sr. and Lillian (Scutt) Bower.
John was born and raised in Cortland and attended Homer High School. In 1968, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Mexico.
John enjoyed the outdoors, and you would often see him walking the streets in Cortland, meeting up with his great friends, Michael Murray, and Herbie Garrett. His favorite thing to do was bet on the ponies with a trifecta box at the Off-Track Betting. He relocated to Sault Ste. Marie to be with his daughter Trina and grandson Skyler (Britiny) Distin.
John is survived by his children, Michelle (Shane) Towsley of Cortland, Christopher (Julie) Griffin of McGraw, New York, David Griffin of Cortland, and Caterina (Joseph) Cook of Sault Ste. Marie; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and siblings, Timothy and Patrick Griffin.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John Bernard Griffin Sr. and Lillian Bower; grandson, Chace Bentley; and stepfather, Clyde Bower.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of EUP, 308 W. 12th Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, or United Way of the EUP, 511 Ashmun St. #200, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
