Peter M. Griffin, Sr.

Peter M. Griffin, Sr. Pete Griffin, Sr. of Hessel passed away Monday August 18, 2008 at the age of 78 after a short struggle with lung cancer. He died at home surrounded by his children and wife Irene. He was born August 25, 1929 to Rosanna (Tassier) and Joseph William Griffin. His upbringing during the Depression was a great influence on the decisions he made later in life. He left school after the tenth grade to help support his family, but by no means did that end his education. He was a mechanic, carpenter, electrician, and plumber, self-taught skills that he made use of throughout his life. He built and remodeled homes, built cabinets, rebuilt engines, and eventually restored a 1927 Model A, similar to the first car he had ever owned. He served in the army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged following a tour of duty in Germany. Most of his life was spent in the Les Cheneaux area. He worked seasonally at the Les Cheneaux Club, often cut cedar in the winter, and worked in construction. He and his family moved to Oregon in 1966 where he was employed at Yoder Sawmill cutting and milling timber. He also lived for several years in Arkansas where he bought condemned houses and moved them to undeveloped lots for re-sale. Eventually retirement brought him back to the U.P. though he never fully retired, continuing to work on small maintenance jobs and making furniture for friends and acquaintances. He did, however, express relief that when he qualified for social security he "would never have to take another roofing job." His hobbies included building cedar furniture, deer hunting, and following the Detroit Red Wings. He was a quiet man who greatly valued personal integrity and honesty. He believed in giving more than receiving, showing up for work ahead of time and staying late, in giving the extra measure. Those values were passed on to his family by example more often than words. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Irene (Adams), daughter; Terrie Milligan of Hessel, son; Pete Jr.(Kathryn) of Juneau, Alaska, and three grandchildren; Rhianna Lee Milligan of Hessel, Peter Scott Griffin of Mountain View, California, and Margaret Steel Griffin of Juneau, Alaska, and a host of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by extended family members, Becky (Adams) Lambert (Billy) of Portage, IN, Barb (Adams) Smith (Donald)of Valparaiso, IN, Brian Adams (Patty) of Portage, IN, Ricky Adams of Station, IN, and grandchildren; Heather Lambert, Anthony, Niasha, Angel, and Robert Adams, and several great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Joseph and mother Rose, brothers; Kenneth and Wenton, sister Rhoda Kosterman, and his first wife Aldyth Steel. A memorial gathering was held at the Hessel Tribal Center, Thursday, August 21, 2008, for friends and family to remember and celebrate his life. There will be a private burial in Cedar Cemetery adjacent to his parents. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of the Straits would be appreciated.

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Peter M. Griffin, Sr.

August 25, 1929 - August 18, 2008