Richard Robert Griffin

Richard Robert (Rick) Griffin aged 62 Died after a long journey through cancer, at home in Oregon, Ohio on January 23, 2019. Born in Canton, OH the oldest of three, Rick attended Timken High School studying Graphic Arts. He spent a year working and taking college classes before he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. Rick served for 30 years, 16 duty stations and uncounted moves before he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer and Marine Inspector in Savannah, GA. His retirement dream was to attend Wyoming Technical Institute in Laramie, WY to learn how to hot rod cars “the right way”. He took every class available and left with a perfect attendance record and even more dreams and projects than before. Rick was an avid modeler making competition level custom model cars and motorcycles. He was also active in the Maumee Valley Model Boat club and while he hadn’t built a boat, he had several to take to events and served as their commodore for several years. He loved studying Pilates and attended regular classes at Body Defined in Sylvania, OH. In the last couple of years ballroom dance and music became a passion. He (and his lovely wife) enjoyed classes at the Toledo Ballroom and he started studying music theory to keep expanding his knowledge. Rick was a legend for his pithy one-liners, his single-minded determination, his amazing packing skills and his ability and willingness to cram himself into small spaces (an important asset for a marine inspector or a mechanic of small cars). He could fix or make anything, enjoyed cooking and baking and sharing the fruits of those labors. He loved his dogs and cherished his family - both blood related and his families of choice (Coasties, Modelers, RC folk, Dancers, Car Enthusiasts, Quilters and, in the last while, his care givers who were extraordinary). He had a bigger than life smile and a huge heart. Rick is survived by his loving spouse of 31 years Carolyn; parents Jean and Bob Griffin of Canton, OH; sister Barbara Griffin Whaley (Bob); brother David Griffin; Daughters Kelly Neilson and Danielle Griffin. Please remember Rick in your own way – help someone learn a valuable lesson, remember a perfect one-liner, dance a foxtrot with your favorite partner, rub your dog’s ears on your way to bed, or create something beautiful. Any of those will do…