James Raymond Griffin, Sr.

James Raymond Griffin, Sr., 81, of Washington, died Tuesday, December 4, 2007, in Washington County Health Center, following a lengthy illness. He was born August 24, 1926, in Washington, a son of Stanley Joseph and Leota Wright Griffin. Mr. Griffin spent 18 years in the military. He served in the Navy during World War II and then later served in the Army, where he earned the Army of Occupation Medal-Germany and the National Defense Service Medal. Mr. Griffin worked as a painter. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Hawkins Post Home 927 of the VFW, and Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion. Mr. Griffin acted in two movies with Frank Sinatra, “Kings Go Forth” and "None But The Brave.” In his youth, he was a Golden Glove Boxer. His wife, Carol Lombardi Griffin, died in 1998. Surviving are two sons, James R. Griffin, Jr., of Boston, Massachusetts, and Joseph Griffin of Tewksbury, Massachusetts; two daughters, Donna Marie Dicenso and Denise Ann Vazza, both of Boston; one brother, Terry Griffin of Tampa, Florida; a sister, Joanne Puskarich of Washington; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Deceased are a brother, Bernard Griffin; and a sister, Helen Fisher. Friends will be received 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 395 East Maiden Street, Washington, where a blessing service will be held at 8:45 a.m. Friday, December 7, 2007, with Father William Feeney officiating. Burial will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Military rites will be accorded graveside by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion.