Griffin, Jim
May 31, 2003
The Late Jim Griffin
Jim died on May 1st and was buried on May 4th, four months to the day short of his 30th birthday. His sudden call cast a gloom over Kildimo, a gloom which spread countrywide and, indeed, further afield among all those who were privileged to know him. He died instantly in a two car collision near Killarney.
Unfortunately, the driver of the other car, Frank Clarke from Castleisland passed away four days later. Jim was travelling to Killarney to launch a book for Veritas at a conference there on May 2nd. He had called home on his way from Ennis two hours before he died. It was typical of him that he left the day's paper there for his Dad.
Jim was born on September 4th, 1973. At that time, the family lived in Gouldavoher Estate, Limerick but the Griffin roots were in Kildimo and links were maintained through Sunday Mass there accompanied by his Dad's Aunt Eily and Uncle Chris.
When Jim was four, the family moved to Kildimo and Jim, together with his sisters Carol and Deirdre enrolled in the local school. Even at that age, the engaging personality which so captivated us all was evident. He was a happy, loveable child who never kicked up a fuss, just smiled his way through. His unique character is captured beautifully in a treasured First Holy Communion photograph, copied over and over. He was also a very brave little boy with an uninhibited sense of humour, demonstrated when he won first prize at a fancy dress competition, dressed as a baby, wearing only a nappy and a card that said "No" to obortion (his idea).
Jim was a useful hurler, played corner back on under age teams, his arrival coincided with his revival of hurling in Kildimo. He also took an active part in Community, the high point being his unbeaten record in the three legged race, partnered by his best friend Jason O'Mahony. A fledging career in the school choir, however, was cut short when Mr. Clifford discovered that he couldn't sing. By then a further two siblings Kate and Tom junior hand enrolled in Kildimo, to be followed later by Rob.
In 1985, Jim enrolled at St. Clements Redemptorist College, Limerick, where he studied for six years. He endeared himself to all the staff and took part in many school activities including playing at wing forward on the rugby team.
Graduating in 1995, Jim commenced his career as a trainee manager with the Shaw group. He served in Portlaoise, Dungarvan and Wexford and manager in Roscrea and Carlow. While with Shaws, he developed an abiding interest in good clothes, he got a discount, good food and fine wine. He loved his work and made hosts of new Friends, management and colleagues, as evidenced by the representation at his funeral.
A year ago, Jim hot itchy feet and took up a new post in Sligo with Veritas. He had strong Christian beliefs and a love of books so this was an obvious choice. He spent nine marvellous months there, acquiring a whole new set of friends, playing golf at Strandhill and Ross's Point and gaining worldly wisdom from his godfather Eamonn Ruddy.
On April 1st this year Jim achieved a long ambition, he was offered a position with Veritas, Ennis and could commute from home. He was a Kildimo man through and through and Heaven for him was to earn a living doing what he loved and believed in, based at home. He was back with the family, could follow the local GAA and meet the gang for postmortems at his beloved
"Seven Sisters"
Courtesy of the Clare Champion
May 2003
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