Obituary of John "J.B." Griffin

John Brian "J.B." Griffin, 52, of State College, died Monday, August 29, 2011 at his residence. Born August 27, 1959, in Sayre, he was a son of John J. Griffin of Wysox, and the late Agnes Hoffman Griffin. On July 29, 1983, in Eggertsville, N.Y., JB married Mary Patricia McCarthy who survives at home. JB was a loving father of five children, Mary Brigid Griffin of Raleigh N.C. and Brian Patrick, Kevin Thomas, Maureen Patricia and Mary Margaret Griffin all of State College; four sisters, Carroll Griffin Wert and her husband, Glenn, of Fairport, N.Y., Eileen Griffin and her partner,, Bill Schramek, of Endicott, N.Y., Kathleen Griffin of Pennfield, N.Y., and Mary Griffin Cummins of Swoyersville; two brothers, Patrick T. Griffin and his wife, Megan, of Lake Forest, Ill., and Robert J. Griffin and his wife, Christine, of Greenbrook, N.J.; and 26 nieces and nephews. J.B. was a graduate of St. Agnes Grammar School and the Towanda Area High School. He attended the Tilton School in Tilton, N.H., and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel Administration and Business from Niagara University in Niagara Falls, N.Y. in 1983. J.B. was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Shaner Corp., State College. He also was the director of Shaner Hotel Holdings, Inc. and of the Shaner Growth Fund II. He was responsible for the start-up and management of Shaner Solutions and was a contributor to the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference. J.B. was on The Pennsylvania State University School of Hotel, Restaurant and Recreation Management Technology Advisory Board. He was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and of the United State Golf Assoc. He had full certification with the Professional Ski Instructors of America and was a Certified Hotel Administrator. He was an avid skier and golfer, but his greatest love was found with his family. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 and 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2011 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. His funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 2, 2011 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church with Monsignor David Lockard officiating. Burial will be in St. Basil's Catholic Cemetery in Dushore. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA 16801.