Fred L. Griffin, 72, died unexpectedly Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at his Adams Morgan home in Washington, D.C. Well loved by all who knew him, Fred was born March 22, 1951 in Margaretville, the son of Sherwood and Betty (Delameter) Griffin. He was graduated from Hartwick College in 1973 having sung in the college choir and studied in Mexico and Spain during his years at the school.
Fred served as an assistant director of admissions at Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia before moving to Washington, D.C. where he opened his own business, Griffin Graphics Design. After running the business for more than two decades, Fred sold it to an ad specialties firm and went to work for the new owners.
He was remembered by a close friend as someone who “didn’t just live a life.” Fred “kicked it into overdrive and drove it over the cliff...” He was always hopeful and joyful, kind and loyal and “wickedly, delightfully salacious.” Fred engaged with every person he encountered, learning something from everyone he met then sharing what he learned with all those around him. He was passionate about life, music, politics, food and friends and relished each day of his nearly 50 years in the nation’s capital.
A serious and accomplished musician, Fred sang with many different sacred and secular choirs in Washington. He was an avid member of the City Choir of Washington and The Washington Chorus, among the foremost symphonic choral groups in the nation, when they were under the direction the distinguished Robert Shafer. Fred travelled extensively with choral groups, particularly relishing their experiences in Europe and participated in Grammy winning choral performances.
Equally passionate about his Washington home and his Catskill Mountain roots, Fred loved being outdoors, biking everywhere he could. He enjoyed prowling through museums and cathedrals, watching baseball games and television, and celebrating the capital’s cherry blossoms each year. But more than anything, Fred loved his friends, hanging on to them for decades, sharing their accomplishments, their woes and their stories. He kept in touch, always.
Fred was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by a sister JoAnn (Griffin) Lanzi and a brother and sister-in-law, George and Gina Griffin as well as much loved nieces and nephews Julie (Griffin) Byron and her husband Sean, Neil Griffin and his wife Julie and Anne (Lanzi) Schweitzer and her husband Eric. Additionally he is survived by grand nieces and nephews Grace and Calleigh Byron, Spencer and Sloane Griffin and Hannah Schweitzer, as well as cherished aunts, uncles, cousins and scores of dear friends from every walk of life, ambassadors to Uber drivers.
Family and friends will hold two celebrations of Fred’s life, one in Washington and one in Margaretville. The dates will be announced when plans have been completed. In the meantime, those wishing to remember and honor Fred can do so by making donations to The City Choir of Washington, PO Box 9673, Washington, DC 20016.
