Harry will be remembered as a cheerful and friendlyy man
THERE was much sadness recently y in Bray at the death of the late Harry Griffiths, who devoted decades of his life to coaching and administration with the Wicklow League.
Harry was a cheerful and friendly y man. He was very jolly and talkative. e. He was a charming man who put t others at ease.
He is survived by his wife Pattie, e daughters Anne, Catherine, Caroline and Sandra, sons Philip and Harry, y, and his relatives and friends.
Pattie and Harry have 20 granddchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. n
Harry doted on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved when they came to visit.
He liked to socialise and get out and d about before his period of ill health.
He lived in Bray all of his life, having g grown up in Ardee Street.
He and Pattie moved around Bray eight times during the course of their marriage, with locations including Mountainview Drive, Dargan Street, t, Fairgreen Court, and, most recently, y, Greenpark Road.
He just liked the Dargle Road and d wished to stay close to where he was raised.
They were there for a flood at Dargan Street in 1963, something which Harry faced with his usual good humour. The family stayed upstairs to sit out the flood, before Pattie spent the night washing and sweeping out the home. Harry lost a warehouse of stock for his pallet business in Hurri- cane Charley, but the family itself had moved to Mountainview Drive by the time Hurricane Charley came along.
As well as a lifelong devotion to football, Harry at one time kept greyhounds. He would rise early to exercise them in the mornings before work. His daughter Anne in particular would have memories of joining him for those early starts.
When Pattie was out at bingo, the rest of the family might sneak a greyhound into the house to sit on the sofa and watch television with them.
His children remember an easy-going father. He always liked to keep busy. On a Sunday, though, he would happily bring the whole family to climb Bray Head or go picking blackberries. He worked hard and always had great ideas, including on one occasion having a share in a racehorse.
Harry worked for a long number of years making coffins for Colliers prior . e to the pallet business.
He faced his illnesses bravely, and fifinally found his home in Shannagh BBay nursing home before passing away.
His family said that the care he rereceived there was wonderful.
Harry’s friends and family will miss him very much. He made a great contribution to sport and to young people over his many years as a member of the community in Bray and County Wicklow.
A large crowd paid their respects at a gathering at Colliers on November 6, before the funeral at St Peter’s Church the following morning. Harry was laid to rest at Springfield Cemetery. ,