Luke A. Griffin, Sr., of Wellesley, died on April 1, 2023 after a long period of declining health. He was 74.
Born in Woburn to the late Stephen and Helen Griffin, he grew up in Winchester. He attended Belmont Hill School, graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1970 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, and received his Masters degree from Boston University. Luke was an avid fan of all Boston sports. After graduating, he was able to pursue a career that aligned with his passion, working in sports radio at WCCM in Lawrence. It was there he met the love of his life Barbara, and they married in 1972. Shortly after, they moved to Iceland, where he was stationed at the Keflavik Naval Air Base and worked as a sports broadcaster and was a US Navy Veteran. He went on to have a successful career at Mutual Broadcasting, WFAN in New York, and finally with the Red Sox Radio Network in Boston. His work allowed him to travel all over the country and the world, where he covered the 1980 and 1984 Winter Olympics, several Super Bowls, college bowl games and PGA tournaments.
During 35 years of marriage, Luke and Barbara enjoyed raising their five children, traveling, and making life-long friends in all the places they lived. The loss of Barbara in 2007 to Lymphoma had a tremendous impact on him. He devoted much of his energy since then to support the Lymphoma Research Foundation, through proceeds he received from eBay sales of his sports memorabilia collection.
Luke made Wellesley his home for the past 25 years. He was active in the community of St Paul’s Church, where he regularly served as a Eucharistic Minister. He would also be seen frequently at the Post Office, or walking his best pal, Ernie the pug, around town. After retiring from broadcasting, he enjoyed working as a counselor at Hurley House in Waltham.
Luke was the devoted father of Stephen and his wife Julie of Wellesley, Luke Jr. of San Diego, James and his partner Margaret Farmer of Red Hook, NY, Amy and her partner Eszter Hamori of Jamaica Plain, and Allison of Wellesley. He was a loving Grampy to granddaughters Jacklyn and Reagan of Wellesley. He is also survived by his sister-in law Audrey Meikle and her husband Robert of North Andover, and brothers in law Ronald of North Andover as well as Stephen and his wife Raquel of Pembroke Pines, FL. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. Wellesley on Tuesday, April 4, from 4-8pm. Funeral from the funeral home on Wednesday, April 5, at 9am followed by a funeral Mass in St. Paul Church, Wellesley at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley. Expressions of sympathy can be made in Luke’s name to Lymphoma Research Foundation, Wall Street Plaza, 88 Pine Street #2400, New York, NY 10005 or Lymphoma.org.