Obituary of Gerald Griffiths

Jerry, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his longtime home in Aptos on Sunday, October 14th after a year-long battle with cancer. His family and friends watched him fight with great courage and resolve, right up to his final breath at the age of 68. Jerry was born in Oakland to Penry and Marie Griffiths. He and his younger brother Richard moved with their parents to Felton in the early 1950s so that Penry could manage Hallcrest Vineyards, the winery established by Jerry's maternal grandfather Chaffee Hall. Jerry spent his youth reveling in the innocence and wonder of the small mountain town. Jerry graduated from San Lorenzo Valley High School in 1962. It was there that he met his wife Joan, a Boulder Creek resident at the time. Joan was swept away by the handsome yet humble young man and within a short time the two became inseparable. They married on September 4, 1965 and spent their first years together in Chico, where Jerry completed his degree in psychology. After a few years of marital bliss, Jerry and Joan were blessed with sons Mark and Aaron. The family moved to the current home in Aptos in 1972. The close-knit group spent countless good times enjoying poolside barbeques at the century-old Hall summer home in Felton, traveling the U.S. by motorhome, and vacationing in Lake Tahoe. Jerry volunteered his time to Aptos Little League, serving as President for three years in the early 1980s. He was also active in the March of Dimes. While his children were young, Jerry worked at County Bank of Santa Cruz before hiring on with San Lorenzo Lumber. He became Corporate Credit Manager and established many good relationships with local contractors. He was a very loyal and trusted employee for many years before his retirement in 2002. In retirement, Jerry and Joan were fortunate to travel a great deal and to purchase a home in Sisters, Oregon. Cruises in Europe and through the Panama Canal were worked in between excursions to visit grandsons in New York and long, relaxing stays in Sisters. The couple was able to enjoy all that time offered them and they were very grateful. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He is survived by and his memory will be forever preserved by his wife, Joan, his sons, Mark and Aaron, Mark's sons, Zachary, Ian and Tyler, Aaron's wife, Jen, and their three children Aidan, Jack and Shepherd, and his many wonderful friends. His family will miss him dearly but feel so fortunate to have been able to share his quick wit, intelligence, great generosity and unending kindness. A celebration of Jerry's life will be held at the Sesnon House Garden on the Cabrillo College campus on Friday, October 19th 12-2pm, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cabrillo College Foundation or Hospice of Santa Cruz County. Donations to the Cabrillo College Foundation will be put towards a scholarship in Jerry's name. Cabrillo College Foundation 6500 Soquel Drive Aptos, CA 95003