Francis E. Griffin, Sr., 81, of Rochester, NH, died Saturday November 7, 2015 in his home. He was born in Boston, MA on September 26, 1934, a son of the late John and Isabel (Manfra) Griffin. He was raised and educated in Boston and was a graduate of Jamaica Plain High School. Mr. Griffin had been a resident of Windham and Kingston most of his life and resided for many years in Harmony and Troy, ME., prior to relocating to Rochester 5 years ago.
He had been employed as a truck driver for HP Hood Co for 30 yrs., after which he worked as a janitor for Hampstead School District SAU 55. Mr. Griffin had a lifelong love of animals and spent much of his life as a farmer. He will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by three daughters, Patricia A. Desrosiers of Nottingham, NH, Catherine M. Seavey of Rochester, and Susan V. Ayer of Hudson, NH; three sons, Robert F. Griffin of Hudson, NH, Francis E. Griffin, Jr., of Manchester, and Kenneth M. Griffin of Bellevue, NE; his stepdaughter, Linda J. Purdy of Manchester, NH; his stepson, Richard E. Purdy of Hanover, NH; 17 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; as well as his sister, Catherine V. Dingman of Derry, NH. He was predeceased by his wives, Joan (Campanella) and Beverly (Medor) Griffin, his daughter Kimberly Villers, his brother, Robert J. Griffin, and his sister, Brenda G. Hawkins.
A calling hour was held Friday, November 13th from 10 - 11am in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry, with a funeral service that followed at 11am in the funeral home. The burial was held in Forest Hill Cemetery in E. Derry. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone VNA Hospice, 178 Farmington Rd., Rochester, NH 03867.