GLENBURN – William Joseph Griffith, 56, died April 12, 2006, at a Bangor hospital, of complications from the Marfan Syndrome, a condition he struggled with all his life and overcame in many ways. Bill was born May 27, 1949, in Bangor, the son of William Cecil and Beatrice Mary (Poulin) Griffith. Bill was an inspiration to all who knew him. He was a humanitarian who truly lived Jesus’ teaching: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” Bill was the director of the Roger Randall Center in Houlton from 1987-1992 and always fondly remembered the people he worked with there and their accomplishments. He then worked for Amicus, first as director of Phoenix and then as director of the Applied Behaviorial Analysis Consultants Division. He created the program “Behavior as Communication” to train staff who works with consumers both in Maine and nationally. Bill was a forceful and tireless advocate for people with disabilities. Surviving are his wife, Faith (Hamilton) Griffith of Glenburn; one sister, Martha (Griffith) Newman and her husband, Paul, of Bangor and their sons, William Griffith Newman and Matthew Frederic Newman, both of Boston, Mass.; mother-in-law, Marion Hamilton of Bangor; brothers-in-law, Stephen Hamilton and his wife, J. Leigh and their son, Brooks Hamilton II, all of Gorham, Harold Hamilton and his wife, Margaret Kravchuk, of Bangor and their daughter, Megan Hamilton of Seattle, Wash.; Pennell Hamilton and his wife, Margaret and their daughter, Marion, all of Woodbridge, Conn.; dear lifelong friends, Robert S. Newman and John Samways and a large extended family. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his father-in-law, Brooks Hamilton; and nieces, Jennifer Leslie Newman and Alyssa Brooke Hamilton. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 6-8 p.m. Sunday, April 16, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday at St. John’s Catholic Church, York Street, Bangor, with the Rev. Roland Nadeau, celebrant. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the Parish Hall immediately following the funeral Mass. Those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Amicus, 96 Thirteenth St., Bangor, ME 04401 or the National Marfan Foundation, 22 Manhasset Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
WILLIAM J. GRIFFITH
