Mr. John Wesley Griffin

Mr. John W. Griffin, 97, of Sylvester ended his long journey of life on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at his residence. The funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at St. Teresa's Catholic Church in Albany with burial to follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Sylvester. The Rev. Raymond Levreault will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM on Friday at Banks Funeral Home with a Rosary Service being held at 7:00 PM. Mr. Griffin was born on January 27, 1920 in Ocilla (Irwin County) to the late John W. and Arlo Hinson Griffin. He left Irwin County to join the Navy during WWII where he was stationed on a destroyer, the USS Babbitt, escorting conveys across the Atlantic to supply the war effort in Europe. Mr. Griffin met his beloved wife, Marie, in New York in 1942. They were happily married for 65 years and raised 7 children. Mr. Griffin returned to South Georgia in 1970 where he owned and operated 2 Red & White Grocery Stores before retiring. He enjoyed get-togethers to cook and swim with family and friends. Mr. Griffin loved to go hunting and fishing with his sons and grandsons. He took great pride in his garden and would share its bountiful harvest with many. Mr. Griffin was a great cook who enjoyed sharing his love of cooking by providing meals for his family and friends. He and his beloved wife, Marie, took yearly vacations to her home country of Newfoundland, Canada to spend time catching up with friends and relatives. Mr. Griffin will always be remembered for his quick wit and love of a good joke. He was a member of Saint Teresa's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in Albany, Georgia. Survivors include his children, Ann Marie Geer (Bucky), John Griffin (Janis), Kathleen Sutherland (Jim), Francis Griffin, Brian Griffin (Betty), Kevin Griffin (Debi) and Regina Gill (Glenn); 14 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Griffin and a brother, Earl Griffin. In addition to his parents, Mr. Griffin was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marie Maloney Griffin; sisters, Gladys Price, Kathleen O'Hanlon, Mamie Griffin, Caroline Odem, Mildred Lewis, Alma Tomlinson; and brothers, Hubert Griffin, Arthur Griffin, Paul Griffin and Fain Griffin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mr. Griffin to St. Clare's Neighbors in Need 2005 Martin Luther King Dr. Albany, GA 31705 or St. Teresa's Catholic Church, 421 Edgewood Lane, Albany, GA 31707. Please sign our online guest registry at www.banksfh.com. Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. John Wesley Griffin

January 27, 1920 - October 10, 2017