Waterville, ME -- Francis Joseph Griffin, Sr. MD, born September 6, 1947, in Honolulu, Hawaii to Edward and Evelyn Griffin. He passed away on April 7, 2026, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, of 47 years, and three children, Frankie, Evelyn, and Patrick. Frankie and his wife Jennifer have 2 boys, Thomas (11) and Teak (9). Evelyn has a daughter, Feyja (9). Patrick and his wife Kaci have two girls, Finlee (5) and Olive (2). He is also survived by his siblings Tom, Christine, and Eddie. He also leaves behind dozens of nieces and nephews. Griff, as he was affectionately known, spent the first four years of his life in Honolulu. His parents soon moved their family to York, Maine, where their family grew. He attended York High School, where he lettered in basketball, baseball, and football. Griff attended the University of Maine where he was Captain of the football team and president of Phi Mu Delta Fraternity. Griff often told stories about spending his summers lifeguarding in Southwest Harbor. He received his master's degree in education in 1970. He began his teaching career in Lincoln, Maine, but spent most of his 14-year career in the Waterville public school system where he taught sciences and coached defensive backs for the football team. Griff lamented that he was the first sex education teacher in the Waterville middle school. He is still legendary among those whom he coached, particularly the defensive backs who were required to yell "York Harbor!" any time they made an interception. After their first two children, Frankie and Evelyn, Griff decided to pursue a career in medicine. He attended the University of Vermont. While in medical school, Peggy and Griff welcomed their third child, Patrick. After receiving his doctorate in medicine in 1989, Griff was accepted in the anesthesia residency program at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. After completing his anesthesia residency, Griff and his family moved to San Angelo, Texas, where he practiced medicine for 14 years at Angelo Community Hospital. After his children had finished high school, Griff and Peggy decided to move home to Rome, Maine, where Griff finished his career at Maine General in Augusta. He often spoke fondly of his colleagues from both careers in Maine and Texas. Griff was extremely proud of the education received by his children. Frankie is the Deputy District Attorney in Kennebec and Somerset Counties. Evelyn followed in Griff's footsteps and became an anesthesiologist and then specialized in pediatric cardiac anesthesiology. She is currently an Associate Professor at UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School in Texas. Patrick is a mechanical engineer and works for an air pollution control company and works all over the country. Griff most enjoyed playing games with Peggy, fishing with his brother Tom, reading about the Civil War, Nazi Germany, or the JFK's assassination, and spending time in nature with his grandchildren. Griff loved teaching his grandchildren how to correctly identify plants and animals, as can be clearly seen in the heavily annotated nature books on his bookshelf. Griff took pride in his "personal relationship" with the trees, bushes, and flowers that he planted on the Rome property over the course of 47 years. Each time one of his children were born, he planted a tree for them. His green thumb did not end with trees. He loved growing flowers, cucumbers, and tomatoes for Peggy. He also took a particular joy in educating his daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, or anyone else who wanted to listen about his most recent research into his various conspiracy theories. The family will have a celebration of life this summer. Honor Francis Griffin's legacy by preserving the Mary Nash Beaupre Greenhouse, a cherished space for youth and families in our community. Your donation, in Francis's memory, will help fund the vital upkeep and programming for generations to come. Donate at https://operations.daxko.com/online/2109/OnlineGiving/Donation.mvc?campaign_id=18445 If you prefer mail: Alfond Youth & Community Center 126 North Street Waterville, Maine, 04901