Frederick W. Griffith

Frederick W. Griffith, 81, of Fairview Township, died Wednesday at his home. He was born April 11, 1927, the son of the late William L. and Walburga Wachter Griffith.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy "Dottie" Griffith, who died Nov. 24 this year. He was a devoted husband and father, who had a kind word for everyone and was a friend to all. In the trucking business for most of this life, Fred spent much of his career working for P.I.E. Trucking. He was a hard worker and provider who believed family came first. He

enjoyed gardening and working around his home, and loved helping his wife prepare holiday celebrations for their family, from carving the turkey to decorating Easter eggs for his grandchildren. His family loved his homemade meatballs and raisin cookies.

Fred was also preceded in death by a brother, William Griffith. He is survived by his six children: Karen A. Hofius and her husband, Lynn, of Greene Twp.; Dianne J. Chrzanowski and her husband, Dan, of Canton, Ohio; Frederick Griffith Jr. and his wife, Mary; William L. Griffith and his wife, Fran; James E. Griffith, and John F. Griffith and his wife, Kathy, all of Erie. Fred is also survived by a sister, Mary Francis Michaelis, and her husband, Larry, of Millcreek; and family friend, Lori Duby, of Wesleyville. Fred was grandfather to Daniel and Colleen Chrzanowski, Sarah Hofius Hall and Shelly Hofius, and Melanie, Benjamin, Justin, Brianna, Jacob and Joshua Griffith. He also had seven great-grandchildren.

Friends are invited to a committal service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one's choice, or to the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 915 State St., Erie, PA 16501. Arrangements are being handled by the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Road.