Patrick Christopher Griffin (13 Jan 1933 - 20 Mar 2020)

In loving memory of Patrick Christopher Griffin who sadly passed away on 20th March 2020. His funeral was held today, 17th April 2020 at Vinter's Park Crematorium in Maidstone. Despite very restricted numbers, it was a beautiful service and the sun shone for him.

If you would like to make a donation in honour of Paddy, we have chosen his niece's charity "F.A.I.T.H." (For animals in trouble help), an animal sanctuary in Norfolk which has been running since the early 1980s. Thank you.

The life of Patrick Griffin

• Paddy was born in Clogheen in 1933
• He joined Mt Melleray Monastery in 1954 – no-one could ever believe that he was in a silent order for ten years!
• He came to Leybourne Grange Hospital in 1966 and moved into Grange Close with his new wife Christine in 1969 where he remained for the rest of his life
• Their son Joseph was born in October 1970
• St Thomas More church played a huge and vital part of his life and he was there at the opening in 1972
• He loved hockey. The photo in the service card was taken by the Kent Messenger who did a feature about him still playing at the age of 75
• He also loved rugby and cycling and his ultimate dream would have been to have competed in the Tour de France
• In his fifties he was diagnosed with angina so he did what anyone would do in such circumstances – he took up marathon running! His first one was in 1983 and the last was his seventh London Marathon in 1997. (PS The angina went away!)
• His feet were a constant problem in later years as a consequence of all that running but he was so proud of his medals!
• A later highlight of his life was switching on the West Malling Christmas lights as a “local” celebrity
• Despite restricted mobility, he still like to do his “community service” around the close and all his diligent sweeping up even earned him a new broom from the grateful neighbours!
• The Town Social Club was a favourite location. Today would probably be the first time he passed by it without going in!

He made the most of the 87 years he was given, had a great sense of fun, loved a chat. He would like to have made it to 90 but he had an unwavering faith in the life beyond that meant that didn’t fear death and was at peace with this world at the end.