“We are grateful to have known, loved, and been loved by him,” wrote Shannon Bannerman, the oldest of his three daughters.
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He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carolyn “CJ” Griffiths, his children, foster children, grandchildren, sister, niece and nephews, many dear friends, and his work family at Riley’s Furniture, his family said.
His family will hold a small private service in Shallotte, N.C. There also will be a gathering in his honor at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at Riley’s Furniture, 126 Breaden Lane. The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, cards be sent to Carolyn “CJ” Griffiths, P.O. Box 1945, Shallotte N.C., 28459.
Griffiths was born in Huntington, W.Va., and raised in Springfield. This spring, he was inducted in the “Wall of Fame” at Shawnee High School honoring him and his doubles partner for their 1961 state championship.
He graduated from the University of Cincinnati, where he was a standout tennis player, with a degree in metallurgical engineering in 1967. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart.
He worked at GE from 1967-1970, then in 1970 he and his former business partner opened Furniture Depot in Middletown. Four years later, a building was constructed in Monroe and called Gracious Living before it was renamed Riley’s Furniture.
Griffiths “truly valued” the friendships he made in the furniture industry, including with his customers, his daughter wrote.
“He lived and loved with such generosity and left a legacy we all strive to honor,” his daughter wrote.
Recently, Griffiths, who had lost more than 100 pounds because of the cancer treatments, sat down with The Journal-News to discuss his career and his cancer.
“The first thing people say when they find out you have cancer, ‘Go do what you want to do now,’” he said. “I didn’t have the bummer. Partly because I have no reason to.”
Tears filled his eyes.
“I’ve had 75 years of blessings,” he said.
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