Glens Falls - John Patrick Griffin, 87, passed away on January 22, 2021, at home, holding the hand of his loving daughter Thérèse and surrounded by his cherished grand dogs.  Born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1933, he was a first-generation immigrant of Irish parents, Patrick and Mae Griffin.

John was baptized in April 1933 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Brooklyn and was a lifelong devout Catholic and dedicated parishioner of Sacred Heart on Staten Island, NY; St. Martha's in Pt. Pleasant, NJ and St. Mary's in Glens Falls, NY.  His early faith had initially guided him to attend the Franciscan Teaching Brotherhood at St. Francis Novitiate in Long Island from 1951 to 1953. However, he soon discovered God had different plans for him.

He taught sixth grade in a parochial school in Brooklyn before serving in the United States Navy from 1957 to 1961. He worked at Chase Bank in Manhattan from 1961 until his retirement in the 1990s. It was there that he met the absolute love of his life and the "bravest" woman he ever knew, Renée. He married her and her 5 children in 1968 and moved to Staten Island. Soon after, they welcomed 2 more daughters. He loved and cherished all seven of his children.

In 1987, they moved to Brick, NJ, where he worked various part-time jobs. He loved time outside and enjoyed walking the Point Pleasant boardwalk and the Brick Reservoir.

John loved to sing and listen to music. Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra were just a couple of his top-listed crooners. One of his gifts was an I-pod shuffle and headphones with all his favorite tunes that he would happily sing along to during long car rides between NJ and NY.

John was a big fan of Broadway musicals. He treasured attending these shows in NY and more often at the Algonquin Theatre in Manasquan, NJ, several times a year.

John had a passion for horse racing and loved spending time at Monmouth Park and Saratoga Springs Racetrack. Father's Day was always an all-day celebration with family, food, and fanfare "at the track."

In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his loving wife, Renée, and his siblings Thomas Griffin and Lillian Lindtvit. Surviving, in addition to his daughter Thérèse Griffin, are his sons Robert, John, and James Falana and his daughters Patricia and Deborah Falana and Coleen Griffin and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and his grand dogs Tiffy, Ollie, Coco, and Champ.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his visitation from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 2021, at Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY. His Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 8 a.m. Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Saint Mary's Church, 62 Warren Street, Glens Falls, NY. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Staten Island, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in John's memory to Saint Mary's Church, 62 Warren Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 (StMarysGlensFalls.org) or the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Foundation, at CurePSP, 1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 (PSP.org).

Condolences and floral arrangements may be sent directly to Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804, or through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.