Celebration of a Life Well Lived
                                                 James Alfonso Griffin
                                   April 21, 1934                   Oct.18, 2020

James Alfonso Griffin, affectionately known as “Bro” by the family and “Grif” by his friends was born in Columbia, SC to Johnnie and Vivian Griffin on April 21, 1934. James was reared by a “village” of family members that included his grandparents, Janie and Cleve Mayers and his Aunt Geneva and her husband, Wendell Hiller.
He attended Carver Elementary School and C.A Johnson High School in Richland County graduating in 1952. He continued with his quest for knowledge at North Carolina A & T University graduating in 1956.
“Bro” served his county honorably for 2 years in the Army. After his discharge he moved to Baltimore Maryland, where he was employed as Math Teacher in the Baltimore School District.  Not long after moving to Maryland he decided to move further North to New Haven, CT where he resided with his beloved Great Aunt and her husband, Bessie and Ellison Lever.
James embarked on a career with the U.S. Postal Service as a Letter Carrier and retired after many years of dedicated service.  He became involved with the National Association Letter Carries Branch 19 (NALC); where he served as a Union Representative and Delegate for many years. Even after he retired from the job he remained active as a retiree in the NALC until 2018.
James was predeceased by his parents, his sisters, Frankie B. Garrett and Dorothy G. Owens, his brother, Joe Griffin and his companion of 50 years, Louise J. Pina-Araujo Giles. He leaves to mourn his passing, his loving sister, Jean G. Robinson of Columbia, SC, nieces Audrey Owens of Roosevelt, NY, and Vanessa Owens of Columbia, SC, nephews, Michael Garrett of Teaneck, NJ and Christopher Garrett of Washington, DC. We will certainly miss “Bro” dearly and pray that he has ascended into the Heavens.
James' long- term companionship with Louise, allowed for Louise's daughter, Deborah Stanley and Dara Goodman to build a father-daughter relationship with him. They both will cherish the time they shared with him. In addition, Pleshette Perry, Kylon Perry, Brooke Goodman, Erica Stanley-Spearman (Joshua), and Jerrod Goodman referred to him affectionately as Grandpa. They too are left to cherish their time with him. James had a special bond with his grandson, Kylon who will be left with fond memories of their one- on- one time spent together. James had ten great grandchildren and one great great grandson that were blessed to have him. His family here in CT will miss him but, remember him always. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects Friday from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM followed by a family funeral service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be in Beaverdale Memorial Park.