Obituary of Michael Joseph Griffin

Michael Joseph Griffin, age 72, of State College passed away peacefully Sunday October 28, 2018 at The Wynwood House in State College.  He was born in Teaneck, NJ to the late Josephine and William E. Griffin Sr. He graduated from St. Agnes High School in Towanda, PA in 1964 where he excelled in basketball, playing for the St Agnes Crusaders for four years.   

He graduated from Mansfield University with a BS in Secondary Education in 1968 and began teaching junior high Social Studies in the Owego-Apalachain School District in Owego, NY until February of 1978.  During this time he also completed his Master’s degree in Education at SUNY Cortland, NY.

In May of 1976 he married Laura Perry at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Towanda, PA.  The couple later moved to State College, PA where Mike became an assistant principal in the State College Area School District in 1979.  He then earned his Doctorate in Education in 1987 from Penn State University and served in other assistant principal roles in the school district.  Later in his career, he served as principal of the high school until his retirement in 1999. 

During his retirement Mike enjoyed volunteering at Mount Nittany Medical Center and the State College Food Bank.  He and his wife also traveled to parts of the US; however, his favorite place was Hilton Head Island, SC.  Golf was a game Mike picked up later in life, and he especially enjoyed his membership at Mountain View Country Club. At a young age, he became a sports enthusiast following basketball and football, particularly the NY Giants and the Green Bay Packers; he was also an avid Penn State Nittany Lions fan.

Michael is survived by his wife, Laura; sisters Joellen (Dave) Kule of Laporte, PA, Colette (Tony) Romano of Buffalo, NY and brothers William Griffin Jr and Timothy Griffin (Pat) both of Tunkhannock, PA.  He is also survived by three nieces and four nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.  The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Mount Nittany Medical Center and The Wynwood House who made Mike’s final days more comfortable.

A mass of celebration will be held at 11:00a.m. on Monday, November 12, 2018 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, with Rev. Neil Dadey officiating. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service in the Gathering Space of the church. A private burial for the immediate family will be held at a later date in the Sheshequin-Ulster Cemetery in Ulster, PA.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.