Obituary for Robert F Griffith
Robert Frank Griffith (5/27/1949-9/18/2023) died peacefully in his home in the arms of his devoted husband Craig P Nolan MD. Robert is preceded in death by his dear parents Delores (Pinney) and Frank E. Griffith of Bloomfield Connecticut. He is the beloved son-in-law of Bernice and the late Arthur Nolan of Chicago, Illinois. He is the eldest sibling to Thomas F. Griffith, Patricia A. Howard, Lorraine Syman, and Richard E. Griffith. He is dear brother-in-law to Kathryn Tranchita, Susan Prestipino and the late Gary Nolan, as well as uncle and uncle-in-law to 12 nieces and nephews, and treasured friend to so many. Robert carried a special place in his heart for his three dogs (Tosca, Ava, and Rocky).
With residences in both Manhattan and Long Island NY, Robert and Craig enjoyed the city treasures of Broadway theater, cabaret, Metropolitan Opera, NY Philharmonic, culinary diversity and the serene escapes of the East End/Fire Island beaches, wineries, and farm stands. As an avid skier Robert showed Craig his athletic expertise on the mountain slopes in Aspen, Vail, and Vermont every season. They traveled extensively together throughout Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Alaska and Hawaii. Robert believed travel not only provided relaxation but also tolerance and love for diversity.
Robert had a long and successful professional career. After Boston college and obtaining his MBA, he entered a management training program at Cigna, and went on to lead operations for multiple lines of business. He shifted into consulting, putting his experience to work on behalf of a range of clients. At his retirement, he worked with global enterprises as a Principal with Mercer Health and Benefits. His dear friend and colleague, Swati Mathai, said “Bob was a relentless advocate for his clients, always able to strike the perfect balance of meeting their needs while challenging them to do more. He was a generous mentor and important role model for many in the industry, widely respected for his breadth of knowledge, professionalism, positivity, and contagious wit.”
As a patient at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), Robert displayed dignity and courage , as well as gratitude for his health care team. He believed Eileen O’Reilly MD, his medical oncologist, guided him with honesty, respect, and compassion.
“In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Robert’s name to support pancreatic cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Online donations can be made on his memorial tribute page here: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/RobertGriffith
Alternatively, check donations made payable to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center should be mailed to:
Attn: Liz Francois, Community Fundraising
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Office of Development
PO Box 27106
New York, NY 10087
Please indicate on the check memo line that the gift is in memory of Robert Griffith.”
With residences in both Manhattan and Long Island NY, Robert and Craig enjoyed the city treasures of Broadway theater, cabaret, Metropolitan Opera, NY Philharmonic, culinary diversity and the serene escapes of the East End/Fire Island beaches, wineries, and farm stands. As an avid skier Robert showed Craig his athletic expertise on the mountain slopes in Aspen, Vail, and Vermont every season. They traveled extensively together throughout Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Alaska and Hawaii. Robert believed travel not only provided relaxation but also tolerance and love for diversity.
Robert had a long and successful professional career. After Boston college and obtaining his MBA, he entered a management training program at Cigna, and went on to lead operations for multiple lines of business. He shifted into consulting, putting his experience to work on behalf of a range of clients. At his retirement, he worked with global enterprises as a Principal with Mercer Health and Benefits. His dear friend and colleague, Swati Mathai, said “Bob was a relentless advocate for his clients, always able to strike the perfect balance of meeting their needs while challenging them to do more. He was a generous mentor and important role model for many in the industry, widely respected for his breadth of knowledge, professionalism, positivity, and contagious wit.”
As a patient at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), Robert displayed dignity and courage , as well as gratitude for his health care team. He believed Eileen O’Reilly MD, his medical oncologist, guided him with honesty, respect, and compassion.
“In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Robert’s name to support pancreatic cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Online donations can be made on his memorial tribute page here: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/RobertGriffith
Alternatively, check donations made payable to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center should be mailed to:
Attn: Liz Francois, Community Fundraising
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Office of Development
PO Box 27106
New York, NY 10087
Please indicate on the check memo line that the gift is in memory of Robert Griffith.”