GRIFFITH, DAVID PARRY - David Griffith, 73, Hampton, passed away peacefully at his home on October 27, 2012, surrounded by his loving family, after a long and bravely fought battle with cancer. David is survived by his children: Gail (Colby) MacKay, Dawn (Lloyd) Snyder, Rhonda (Ray) Goucher and Ronald (Denise); his sister Bronwyn Griffith-Ebanks-Micka; brother-in law Gwyn Tomas; Aunt Dilys Jankins; cousins Margaret Davies, Lynda-Ann; nephew and niece Guto and Catrin Tomas and his grandchildren: David Goucher, James Long, Daniel Goucher, Shawn Long, Emily MacRae, Johnathon Snyder and Courtney Griffith. Along with his parents, he is predeceased by his loving wife, Erma Hazel (Bates) Griffith; his granddaughter Sarah Erma Long and his sister, Ann (Griffith) Tomas. Born in London, England on August 28, 1939, he was the son of the late Harri and Nancy (Jankins) Griffith. His family later moved to Bethania, Wales. At the age of 17 he immigrated to Canada to live with his father in 1957. While living on the West Side of Saint John he met his future wife Erma and they were married in 1960. One of David’s proudest achievements was becoming a Canadian citizen in 2003. David worked for many years in research and development of different computer systems. He was first employed with Hawker-Sidley in Trenton, N.S.; then at Stanfield’s International in Truro, N.S. and finally at AC Neilson in Saint John, N.B. In the Spring of 1990, David and Erma opened their own business together and called it Spud’s N’ Things. Through hard work and a devotion to quality of service, David guided Spud’s N’ Things from its humble beginnings to the successful business it later became. David enjoyed many things, such as fishing, hunting and playing games of any shape or form. He was an avid Bridge and Cribbage card player, as well as a master at Scrabble. He was a devoted fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Expos, Toronto Blue Jays and his favourite Welsh soccer team, Swansea. What David enjoyed most was spending time with his grandchildren. He especially enjoyed watching them play hockey, baseball, soccer and curling. David’s love of farming and growing things began while he was living in Westville (1973-1978) where he raised cows and pigs, as well as growing many kinds of vegetables, which the local deer population seemed to enjoy as much as the family did. He began to experiment with raising turkeys and growing flowers in his greenhouse. The family would like to offer their special thanks to Dr. David Salgado, Dr. Reiman and nurses, Jackie and Kim at the Sussex IV/Chemo Clinic and Extra Mural.
Before his passing, David had requested no public funeral or visitations. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will take place at the Lighthouse River Centre, Hampton (near the green bridge) on November 3rd from 1 PM to 7PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.