Albert R. Griffith

Albert R. Griffith, 75, of Orlando, died April 8, 2018. Our loving father went to be with God at 4:10 AM, with his family by his side.  Albert "Reese" Griffith always put others above himself and was devoted to that ideal throughout his life.   We all knew him as Butch, Reese, Al, Dad, Sir, Big Al, Big Papa and Grandpa.   Born in Sharon, PA, he found the love of his life, Carolle (Clark) Griffith, and they were married 53 years.  During his banking career, he built several branches into top lending offices and was recognized for highest gains and lowest losses.  He served on Board of Directors of Youngstown Chapter American Institute of Banking and Advancement Chairman of the Big Arrow District for Boy Scouts of America.

In 1984, he moved his family to Orlando, FL and became an active member of the West Orange community.  West Orlando Rotary nominated him for Rotarian of the Year in 1992 for his ‘unbelievable commitment to Rotary in all areas of participation’.  Long before he started to have a need for a wheel chair, he spent much of his free time helping others gain back independence by building ramps. In 1999 he received Rotary International ’Service Above Self’ award. Al also served on the West Orange Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as VP for presidential programs and co-chaired the Economic Development Task Force of Vision West Orange. His contributions helped lead to Sun Trust Bank being recognized as Member of the Year in 1995 for ‘contributions above and beyond the call of duty to assist the Chamber in many ways’.  He also became known to family and friends for making and donating blankets to anyone who asked or was in need. He found his niche and made over 200 blankets; donating them to Community Care for the Elderly, Lockheed Martin Seniors Program, West Orlando Rotary Club, Osceola Wound Center, and as baby gifts to friends at work.

A big thank you to Dr. Walter Conlan III and staff at Osceola Wound Center for healing Albert’s diabetic foot ulcer and Dr. Dean Cole for the 5 screws in his foot to give him 10 more years with us.

He was proud of his sons and daughter-in-laws, all graduates of UCF, and loved dearly his 6 grandchildren. He is further survived by his sisters, sister and brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews, whom he loved and looked forward to their visits.  We all loved him and will miss him dearly. In lieu of flowers or service, Dad requested gifts to your favorite charity. God bless.