Griffin, Pat
December 22, 2012The London GAA world is a poorer place for the death of Pat Griffin. Pat, formerly of Williamstown, Galway, was born on February 4,1942 and died peacefully on Tuesday December 11 in St John's Hospice, St John's Wood. Paddy, who had no family here, arrived in London in the early 60s and with his passion for GAA immediately got involved with John Mitchell's GAA club in Surbiton, south London.
He played for them up until they ceased in 1971 and then got involved with the Clan Na Gael hurling club in the early 70s until the re-formation of the John Mitchells club in 1974. From 1974-1997 Paddy was again involved with the John Mitchells football club. He saw them win numerous cups and was also club president for many years. In the early 2000s he was also a member of the Tir Chonaill Gaels club.
One of his finest moments was when John Mitchells won the London Intermediate football championship against Father Murphys in 1995. One special moment in that game was when Mitchells forward John - Falvey (from Kerry) scored the only goal and Paddy and Falvey ran to each other and embraced. It was indeed a very proud moment for Paddy.
Paddy just had a passion for GAA and sport in general and for many years never missed a football or hurling All-Ireland. He was such a proud Galway man that he would fondly remember the highs of Galway GAA and those hurling and football All-Ireland wins.
He was also a proud Irishman and always had a great story to tell. He warmed the hearts of so many people with his great yarns and will be missed by many especially on those weekends in Ruislip where he would be seen watching all the GAA games.
Paddy will be taken to the Sacred Heart of Jesus church on Quex Rd, Kilburn on Thursday, December 20 at 6pm and then on Friday; December 21 there will be a requiem mass at 12.15pm at
the same church. Afterwards at 2pm, he will be taken to St Marylebone Crematorium, East Finchley, East End Rd N2 ORZ.
Paddy's last request was that his ashes will be taken home to Galway and spread over his home GAA club Williamstown.
May he rest in peace.
Courtesy of The Irish Post. Tweet
