Cornelius Francis “Neal” Griffin died peacefully at home in the Outer Banks of NC, surrounded by his loving family while they were live streaming Mass, on Thursday, January 18th, 2024.
Neal was born in Tenafly, NJ in March of 1939. He was the oldest of three children born to Cornelius and Annie “Nancy” Griffin. Neal was a graduate of Tenafly High School, where he earned several medals and accolades in Track and Field. He went on to graduate from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ and served in the United States Army upon graduation. He and Margo Arrants were married on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, 1962. They went on to have six children together, whom he was most proud of and loved spending time with.
He had a distinguished career in finance, obtaining both his CPA and MBA. He served as a volunteer executive in the NYC Chapter of the Financial Executives Institute. His career culminated in the acquisition of Richton Intl., where he held the position of CFO, retiring in 2002.
Neal was an avid sailor and loved taking his family out on the Long Island Sound where they lived in Cold Spring Harbor, NY. He and Margo enjoyed traveling and spending time with their Gourmet Group in both Chatham and Morristown, where they later lived with their family and made countless friends. Neal was a competitive tennis player and golfer. He enjoyed all aspects of golf, but especially playing with his boys. His ideal day was spent reading a Tom Clancy novel on the beach and enjoying a cocktail as the sun set with family and grandchildren playing nearby.
He was predeceased by his father, Cornelius Francis Griffin and mother, Annie Griffin.
Neal leaves behind his beloved wife of 62 years, Margo Griffin, their six children, Kelleen Griffin, Stephen (Joanna) Griffin of Chesapeake, VA,, Jennifer (Jeff) Luisi of Ledgewood, NJ, Neal (Beth) Griffin of Bernardsville, NJ, Matthew Griffin of Keene, NH, Meghan (Chris) Fay of Collegeville, PA, and thirteen grandchildren, whom he adored, Mackenzie and Caroline Griffin, Jessica and Brian Luisi, Timothy, Patrick, and Sean Griffin, Jonathan, Zachary, Caleb and Micah Griffin, their mother Kendra Griffin and Max and Luke Fay. His brother Albert (Carol) Griffin of Tenafly, NJ and sister, Mary Sailer of Westwood, NJ, along with several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday January 27th at 11:00am at St. John The Apostle in Virginia Beach, VA with a repass to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Lewy Body Dementia Assoc.
912 Killian Hill Rd. S.W.
Lilburn, GA 30047
lbda@lbda.org
Please share an expression of comfort with the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.
