GARY GRIFF GRIFFITH
GUILFORD- Gary "Griff" Griffith, 55 of Guilford and Parkman, Maine died unexpectedly in a tragic accident, joining our Lord on June 16, while embracing a beautiful summer day riding his motorcycle. Born in New London, Connecticut on December 26, 1950.

Griff loved life, the natural world, the beauty of his homestead region and the dear friends who live there. He was an accomplished artist and blacksmith craftsman who was naturally loved by all who came to truly know him. Griff passionately pursued the advancement of artistic blacksmithing while living a rich, full life of adventure and a wholesome lifestyle, raising his family in rural settings in Alaska and Maine. His remarkable free-child spirit was always evident and shone through his rough-tough, large, colorful appearance, regularly causing him to become the joyful center of attention.

Gary was an incredibly loving son, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was an avid reader, outdoorsman, marksman, sustenance farmer, forester and a local legend in Old Lyme, Connecticut, Alaska and his final home in Maine.

He was predeceased by his father, Sherwood Griffith. Gary is survived by his mother Rita Spender of Alfred, Maine; by three children, Matthew Griffith of Limington, Levi Griffith of Guilford and Sarah Quirk of Houlton, Maine; three grandchildren, Ruth, Billy and Madeline; and two sisters, Valerie Trzeciak of Palm Beach, Florida and Cindy Drane of Hollis, Maine. Gary will be deeply missed by Vicki Griffith Savage of Guilford, mother of his three wonderful children; his nephew Isaiah Griffith of Old Lyme, Connecticut; several cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews including Coral and Haiden Goggin; and his special friend, Cynthia Jacobs and her sons. Gary's sensitivity and unique charm immediately touched everyone he met- he will be missed by each and every one.

A memorial service and celebration of Griff's life will be held Saturday, June 24, at 2:00PM at his farm on Bradstreet Road, Parkman. For directions or news, see his website at www.ironartforge.com .

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to "Griff's Iron Art Scholarship Fund" c/o Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, PO Box 518, Deer Isle, Maine 04627.

To sign an on-line guestbook, please visit www.CrosbyNeal.com