SOUTH PORTLAND – Henry Griffin Jr., a well-known electrician who operated his own business, died on Feb. 23 after a brief illness. He was 91.

Mr. Griffin, known by most people as “Bud,” was an electrician for more than 50 years.

He learned the trade from his father and worked briefly as an electrician and welder at the South Portland shipyard.

In the fall of 1943, he enlisted in the Army. He was assigned to Company A, 245th Engineer Combat Battalion, which later joined the Third Army, led by Gen. George Patton.

Mr. Griffin’s obituary, which is expected to appear in Sunday’s newspaper, said he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and liberated the Ebensee concentration camp while moving across France, Belgium and Germany. He was also at Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest shortly after it was captured. He received three battle stars and a Purple Heart.

Mr. Griffin was discharged in 1946 and resumed his work as an electrician. He started his own business, Scarborough Electric Service, from a small shop near an inn that his parents owned.

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In the late 1960s, he worked a stint at Milliken Brothers Electric. He later operated his own business, Griffin Electric in South Portland. He retired in 1997.

Mr. Griffin performed a variety of small and large-scale jobs in residential homes and commercial buildings across the Greater Portland area.

His daughter, Rosanne Griffin of North Yarmouth, recalled helping him wire some South Portland schools.

“In the summer, we piled in his van and went to the Singer Sewing Machine Factories in the state. It was like a camping trip,” his daughter said. “He loved his work. He was a people person.”

Mr. Griffin was remembered by his family as a thoughtful, generous and upbeat guy, who gave generously to others. His daughter said he was quick to help friends and neighbors with anything from home repair projects to electrical work.

He was a dedicated member of Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 180 for 64 years.

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“In years past, he did a lot of work for the lodge and would not take anything in return,” Len Darling, the secretary of Hiram Lodge No. 180, wrote in an email to his daughter. “I understand that was the kind of man he was. (He) was certainly a shining example of Tom Brokaw’s Greatest Generation.”

In his early years, he married Marjorie Griffin and helped raise her two young children. He later married Beatrice Griffin and raised two children.

In his later years, he remarried Marjorie Griffin. They lived on Downeast Lane in Scarborough for many years. She died two years ago.

His daughter reminisced about the summers they spent at the family cottage on Peabbles Cove in Cape Elizabeth. He later built a cabin at Higgins Beach.

He enjoyed taking friends and family out on his boat to fish.

“My father was a simple guy,” his daughter said. “He was happy to eat dinner, talk, do his job and help people. He was always happy and content. He always seemed happy. He’s definitely at peace. He’s definitely in heaven and I hope I will see him again some day.”

Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:

mcreamer@pressherald.com

 


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