Kenneth C. Griffith

If love could have saved you.you would have lived forever.Beloved husband, dad, grandpa, and dear friend, Kenneth C. Griffith, 69, of Owego, passed away on Thursday, August 9, 2012 following a short illness. Ken is survived by his best friend and devoted wife of 45 years, Jewel (Bittner) Griffith and his three cherished daughters and their spouses: twins; Amy (Sean) Saylor and Lori (Paul) Grebner, and Mindy (Alan) Wright. Also surviving are his treasured grandsons: Owen and Evan Grebner and Nathan Saylor; his brother in law and wife, Bruce Tim and Diane Bittner; his three nephews: Spencer (Kristin), Lance (Sara) and Art Bittner.Ken was born on January 5, 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA a son of the late Homer and Margaret (Carlton) Griffith. He received his B.S. degree from Mansfield University and his Masters from Cortland State. Ken was an educator of American History and Government as well as Economics at the Owego-Apalachin High School for 32 years. During the summers, for a ten year period, along with Jewel as Music Director, he served as tour coordinator for the American Music Abroad Program. Each tour traveled throughout Europe and consisted of a group of 180 students from many different schools. He had an active role in the Owego-Apalachin Teachers Union, serving as their president for 10 years, as well as being active on state level. Following his retirement, he served in many aspects of Retired Teachers in Tioga and Broome Counties as well as throughout the state and as vice president for RC 11 of the NYSUT. As busy as he was, he always managed to find time to travel with Jewel to Virginia, for great family times with his girls and their families creating many wonderful memories. A Funeral Service and Celebration of Kens Life will be held at 11 am on Monday, Aug. 13th at the First United Methodist Church, Newark Valley with his Pastor, Rev. Nancy J. Adams officiating. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. His family will receive friends on Sunday from 4-7 PM at the MacPherson Funeral Home, 5 Whig St., Newark Valley. For those wishing, kindly consider the scholarship fund being established in memory of Kenneth C. Griffith, c/o PO Box 575, Newark Valley, NY 13811. Condolences and memories may be shared in his guest book at macphersonfh.com