George Herbert (Herbie) Griffin died April 9, 2025, at the age of 103. He was born January 16, 1922, in Savannah, Georgia. His parents were George Herbert Griffin Sr. and Lorraine Sessoms Griffin. He was preceded in death by his wife of forty-nine years, Noreen O’Brien Griffin and his son, James Patrick Griffin.

He graduated from Benedictine Military School in 1938 as an honor graduate. At the time of his passing, Herbie was the oldest living Benedictine graduate. He attended Armstrong College and graduated in 1942. At Armstrong, he was editor of the yearbook, “Geechee,” a recipient of the Silver “A,” and a member of the varsity basketball team for two years.

In 1938, Herbie joined the “Irish Jasper Greens” Battery ‘E’ 118th Field Artillery National Guard unit in Savannah and mobilized into the service on September 16, 1940. Herbie also served in the Korean War from September 1950 until June 1951. 

In January 1943, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve flight program and served in Pensacola, Florida until 1945.

Herbie worked at Colonial Oil Industries from 1952 until January 1987 serving as office manager, credit manager, corporate secretary, and a member of the Board of Directors. 

After retirement, he served as president and consultant to Chatham Nursing Home from 1991 until 1993 during which time several improvements and changes were made.  

In sports, he served as basketball coach for St. Vincent’s Academy from 1952 until 1975.  He served as both a basketball and football official and was a past president of both the Coastal Football Officials and the Savannah Basketball Officials.  He was an avid golf member of the Savannah Golf Club.  He was a trustee and past president of the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Hall in 1984 for his coaching and officiating abilities.  

Herbie was continually active in civic work for Savannah having served as chairman for the Savannah Recreation Department for over ten years and in 1961, received the Herschel V. Jenkins award for the planning of the Memorial Stadium. He received the Oglethorpe Trophy for being selected as Savannah’s “outstanding citizen” in 1962.

He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, President of the Civitan Club, member of the downtown Rotary Club, the Lions Club, the Savannah Golf Club, and served on the Board of Directors for the Savannah Red Cross, Riverview Nursing Home, Armstrong Atlantic State University of which he was Alumni President in 1948 and 1998, and the recipient of the “Distinguished Alumni Award”.  

Herbie was a member of the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament for many years. 

He is survived by his daughter, Susan G. Burns, his son Bert Griffin and wife Ruth Rockwell Griffin of Cumming, his grandchildren Jennifer Burns Forbes and husband John Forbes, John Burns and wife Christy Bruggeman Burns, Nancy Griffin Morgan and husband Micah Morgan, Jessica Griffin, and Natalie Griffin, and his great grandchildren Lily Burns, Griffin Burns, and Keegan Forbes.  

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 6:30 p.m.,  Friday, April 11, 2025 at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. 

Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery. 

Remembrances:  St. Vincent’s Academy, Benedictine Military School, or the donor’s choice.