In Memory of Richard R. Griffith

Obituary

Richard R. Griffith, age 76 passed away on May 6, 2024, at the Masonic Health Care Community after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Rick was born in Utica, NY on September 26, 1947, to Richard R. Griffith and Margaret Fitzgerald Griffith.

After graduating from Notre Dame High School in Utica, Rick went on to earn an Interdisciplinary Management degree from Clarkson University, graduating in 1969. While at Clarkson, he was also a member of the Delta Upsilon social fraternity. In later years Rick furthered his education by obtaining his MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Rick was employed at Chicago Pneumatic Tool for a small period before serving a dedicated and committed 45 years at Sturges Manufacturing Co., Inc. retiring as President and CEO in 2017.

In 1971, he married Constance Campbell in Watertown, NY. Rick and Connie shared their lives together for over 52 years and were fortunate to have many interesting adventures together. Rick was very proud of the Mohawk Valley, having served on numerous boards. He was past President of the New Hartford Rotary Club and also served as President of the Board of Trustees of St. Luke's Memorial Hospital and Chairman of Mohawk Valley Network. Continuing to serve his community, Rick was a Board Member of Commercial Travelers Insurance, Utica First Insurance, Partners Trust Company which eventually merged with M & T Bank, Munson -Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, and a Trustee of Clarkson University. Through these experiences he was very fortunate to meet many wonderful people. His fellow peers from a variety of fields touched his life in so many ways. Rick also enjoyed mentoring and working with his son Tyler for 16 years at Sturges.

Rick cherished his time with his family on the St. Lawrence River and the early morning hours when he would be out rowing his shell (nearly getting hit by freighters when not paying attention). In his younger years, Rick enjoyed classic cars and rebuilding them which led him to other Art inspired activities. Attending painting classes at Munson -Williams-Proctor allowed him to be a regular contributor to the annual sidewalk art show while picking up a few wins along the way. Rick was an avid skier and enjoyed his time on the Rotary Gore Mountain ski trips and other various mountains. Rick put his heart and soul into everything he did and always did things in an honest way. If he “whiffed” in golf and nobody saw, he counted it. Some would question this, but Rick’s famous line was “it is a slippery slope when you cheat and a reflection of your character.”

Rick is survived by his wife Connie, son and daughter-in-law Tyler and Katie Griffith; his precious grandchildren Carter and Anna Griffith; his siblings and their spouses David and Janet Griffith (New Hartford, NY), Mary and John Berry (Des Moines, IA); and his brothers-in-law John and Mary Stocker (Sackets Harbor, NY), Kelley and Stephanie Campbell (Watertown, NY) and sister-in-law Debbie Campbell (Chaumont, NY) along with one cousin Elisabeth Griffith-Deardourff (Chevy Chase, MD) and many nieces and nephews.

Rick was predeceased by his parents Richard and Margaret, his stepfather Edwin T. Weiss and brother-in-law J. Patrick Campbell.

The family wishes to thank all of those who always showed their concern for Rick. Thank you to his caregivers Bridget, Dee and Carol who cared for him while he was still at home.

The funeral will be Tuesday, May 14 th , at 10:30 AM at Mary, Mother of Our Saviour Parish (Lourdes Campus) 2222 Genesee St., Utica, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours are Monday, May 13 th from 4-6 PM at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd. New Hartford.

In Memory of Rick, those who wish are asked to consider donations to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413 or hospicecareinc.org.

Online messages of sympathy may be left at: www.fwefh.com.