Richard Patton Griffith

GRIFFITH, Richard P., "“Dick",” 81, of Wesley Chapel, FL, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2012. The artist was born in Brooklyn, NY, growing up in Flatbush and Prospect Heights, later settling down on the East End of Suffolk Co. NY, and later retired to FL in 2003. Dick was an United States Air Force Veteran, stationed in the Aleutians and worked in the Crptology & Cypher Dept. He was an alumni of Brooklyn Technical HS, Adelphi (BFA) and Western State College in Colorado (MA in ED.). He retired after 33 years as an art teacher, having taught at Port Washington, Andover, Riverhead and Mattituck (all in NY). He also was a professor at Southampton College and Suffolk Co. Community College, both in NY. Exhibited at the famous Parrish Museum in Southampton (1960, 1962, 1965), plus Southampton's "Famous Artist Exhibit" (1967, 1969, 1970) as well in other places in NY and elsewhere. He is preceded in death by his brother, Robert. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Grace; two sons, Keith and Scott and his wife, Daniele; daughter, Patty; sister, Betty Johnsen; three grandchildren, Matthew, Derek and Clara. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at Loyless Funeral Home. A committal service, with military honors, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.