Obituary of Thomas E. Griffith

Thomas E. Griffith, GRI, CCIM, 93, passed on February 26, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Tom was born August 17, 1923 in Pearl River, New York, the third of six children of William F. Griffith and Marie Dexter Griffith. He graduated from Pearl River High School in 1941, where he was named "Best Dancer." His love of dancing lasted his entire life through. To save money for college, Tom worked as a machinist at his Uncle's business, The Dexter Folder Company, and was proud that he could operate every machine in the shop. Tom attended the University of Tennessee for electrical engineering. Tom served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, reaching rank of Radio Technician First Class. He served on the West Coast, in the Pacific Theater and finished his tour in Japan with the occupational forces. Tom's primary duty was installing and maintaining airfield and harbor communications and radar equipment. He was a Radio Technician in Okinawa and set up airport communications in Ominato and Kisarazu, Japan. He was a Navy bugler. At Camp Bedilion, Tom found it humorous that he got to play Reveille and go back to bed while others had to march with rifles over their heads. Tom was most proud of his responsibility for the removal of all the salvageable equipment off a sinking naval ship that had run aground near Camp Cook, California. Tom married Mary-Gray Swezey in 1951 and built their first home in 1953 in Pearl River, New York. Together they had four daughters and six grandchildren. Tom and Mary-Gray lived in Pearl River until August 1969, when the family moved to Goshen, New York, into the old "Gates-McGarra mansion". In 1983, Tom and Mary-Gray moved into their current home in the Village of Goshen. The Griffiths have been hosts for many local events and parties in both homes. Tom was always the life of the party and loved entertaining friends, family and the community. Tom, a Commercial Realtor and Developer, first worked with his father in the family insurance and real estate business. In 1952, he opened Thomas E. Griffith Realtors in Pearl River, New York. His office served Rockland County through to 2014, 62 years of service. Tom and Mary-Gray opened their Goshen Real Estate Office in 1969. Griffith Olivero Realtors is still considered the leading Realtor in town. Tom was named Realtor of the Year in 1983 and was President of NYSAR CID in 1985. He had many Real Estate accreditations, yet he was most proud of his CCIM designation from the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute, being the first CCIM in Orange County. Tom also enjoyed developing and building. He built many homes in Pearl River, New York, particularly Griffith Place, and on Turner Road and Park Way. In 2008, he completed his largest project, a tribute to his wife's family, the award-winning Swezey Professional Building Complex at 301-303 Main Street, Goshen, New York. In public service all his life, Tom was appointed to the Orangetown Assessors' Board in the early 1950s. He was active in the local Kiwanis Club, as well as the Board of Realtors. Tom is best known for his work with the NYS Conservative Party. He became the Orange County Conservative Party Chair, served on the state executive committee, and later became Regional VP. Tom was liked and respected by those on both sides of the political spectrum. Tom and Mary-Gray attended President Reagan's 1981 inauguration. Tom was a life-long apiarist (beekeeper). He was known as the local "Bee Man", rescuing many swarms of honeybees. Tom's love for animals was strong. From his beloved cats, to his pet red foxes, to the raccoons, squirrels and skunks he invited into his home. He was infamously known even for being too kind to rabid kittens, which sent him to the hospital. Tom always had a strong love for the sea. He was happiest at the beach with fishing rod in his hand. His daughters fondly remember the many family deep sea fishing trips he organized. As he aged, his love for the sea continued. Tom received his PADI Diving Certification in his 70s and actively dove into his 80s. Tom was never constrained by rules and always was determined to find the best solutions to any problem. His yearbook quoted, "Tom is apt, apt to do most anything." During WWII he converted his 1929 Model A Ford to kerosene due to fuel rations. And many family will remember the ski run he created at his home on RT 207, complete with a rope tow motored by his old Plymouth. Tom is survived by his wife, Mary-Gray (Swezey) Griffith, and daughters Ann C. Griffith, Jean (Gigi) Griffith Hansen, Cindy Griffith-Bennett and Gray Griffith Tham; and grandchildren Jessica Ann Griffith, Jon Marshall and Thomas E. Hansen, and Max Griffith, Sean Thomas and Eliza Gray Tham; sister Aline, Countess of Romanones, brother William (Bill) Griffith and sister Margaret (Peggy) Crosby as well as many nieces and nephews. Tom was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Dexter and Mark Griffith. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 1 from 6 to 8 PM and Thursday, March 2 from 10 to 11:30 AM at Donovan Funeral Home, Inc, 82 South Church Street, Goshen, NY. The funeral will be held 11:30 am on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Donovan Funeral Home, Inc, 82 South Church Street, Goshen, NY with the Reverend David Kingsley officiating. Burial will follow in Slate Hill Cemetery, Goshen, NY. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Tom's name to the Goshen Humane Society, P.O. Box 37, Goshen, NY 10924. Arrangements under the care of the Donovan Funeral Home, Inc., Goshen. To leave a condolence visit www.donovanfunerals.com