Obituary for Robert K. Griffin
Robert K. Griffin, of Simsbury, beloved husband of Barbara Koeniger Griffin, died Monday, November 21, 2022 at St. Francis Hospital. He was born January 20, 1934 in Astoria, Queens NY, and although orphaned at age 13 and hospitalized with a hip injury for 21 months at ages 14 through 16, graduated with honors from Fordham University with a BS in Management in 1955. Upon graduation, he joined the Burroughs Corp as a Business Machine Sales Rep in New York City. In 1956 he joined the Zurich Insurance Company as a Group Insurance Representative and despite his young age had led in top sales in ’57 & ‘58. In 1959 he joined Phoenix Mutual as a District Group Supervisor, where he spent the next 38 years of his career earning several promotions in the field and home office. He progressed to Assistant Group Manager, NY, District Group Manager, Chicago and while in the Hartford Home Office was the Director of Group Sales, Assistant Vice President of Group Sales and 2nd Vice President of Group Market Development. In 1977 he returned to the field becoming the Regional Group Manager in Hartford, then the Regional Director and retired as Regional Vice President in 1997. During his 38 years with Phoenix Mutual, he received many awards culminating in his induction to the company’s Management Hall of Fame in 1989. They established the Robert K. Griffin Trophy called the “Griffy” for outstanding career achievements in group insurance.
Bob and Barbara joined Hopmeadow Country Club in 1970 where he served on the Board of Directors for 14 years, with four terms as President. He was a member of the Connecticut State Seniors Golf Association and served on the McLean Golf Tournament Committee since its inception in 1989. He was a Director of the McLean Foundation, a member of the US Golf Association, Fordham’s President’s Club and was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Simsbury. In addition to Bob’s love of golf, he was a fan of the Boston Red Sox, the NY Football Giants and the Fordham, Boston College and Notre Dame college football teams.
He leaves his wife of 65 years, Barbara; his daughter Tracey Griffin Himmel of Chapel Hill, NC; his grandchildren, Jack, Liam and Claire Himmel; his God children, Mary McDonald, Elizabeth Griffin, Edward Griffin and Laura Galliher, Chris Conroy and 26 beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Robert, Jr.; his brothers, Edward and John and his sister, Marilyn Conroy. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at McLean for their loving care.
Visitation will be held at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Saturday, November 26th from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 942 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury with Burial in Simsbury Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458. Please visit Bob’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
Bob and Barbara joined Hopmeadow Country Club in 1970 where he served on the Board of Directors for 14 years, with four terms as President. He was a member of the Connecticut State Seniors Golf Association and served on the McLean Golf Tournament Committee since its inception in 1989. He was a Director of the McLean Foundation, a member of the US Golf Association, Fordham’s President’s Club and was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Simsbury. In addition to Bob’s love of golf, he was a fan of the Boston Red Sox, the NY Football Giants and the Fordham, Boston College and Notre Dame college football teams.
He leaves his wife of 65 years, Barbara; his daughter Tracey Griffin Himmel of Chapel Hill, NC; his grandchildren, Jack, Liam and Claire Himmel; his God children, Mary McDonald, Elizabeth Griffin, Edward Griffin and Laura Galliher, Chris Conroy and 26 beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Robert, Jr.; his brothers, Edward and John and his sister, Marilyn Conroy. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at McLean for their loving care.
Visitation will be held at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Saturday, November 26th from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 942 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury with Burial in Simsbury Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458. Please visit Bob’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.