David Allen Franklin Griffith

March 11, 1939 - January 25, 2022

Funeral Details: Private Cremation

Griffith, David Allen Franklin:  We are saddened to have lost a very special resident of Aurora this week. 

David Griffith was many things in his life; primarily, a proud resident of Aurora, having lived here since his birth in 1939 and serving his community in an exemplary fashion.  His ancestors were some of the first residents of Aurora, having settled here in 1882 and many generations of Griffith’s have lived and still live in our town.  Over the years Dave served as President of the Aurora Rotary Club, Member of the Aurora Library Board, President of The Aurora Chamber of Commerce and most importantly, sat on Town Council for 12 years.  

During his working years he operated several businesses but the defining one was in the 1970’s when he owned and operated a large marina on the Trent Waterway.   There weren’t many dreams that he didn’t fulfill.

After retirement, never one to sit still, Dave became a member of Aurora Seniors’ Centre and was appreciated for playing guitar and leading the group in weekly sing-alongs.  During those years he also drove for CHATS and drove charter busses for YRSB, played goal for The Nightmares hockey team and worked part time at Home Hardware.

Dave was the son of Frank and Dorothy Griffith and brother of Edward (Margaret) Griffith all of Aurora.  For 60 years he was a devoted husband to Sheena (Smart) and was a cherished father to their five children: son David (Jane Harris), daughters, Sandra Durdle, Joanne Laval (Brian), Claire Braun (David), and Christina Johansen (Karsten).   Dave is survived by 17 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and 11 nieces and nephews.  We shall mourn his passing but rejoice in his life well lived. 

In the spring, when COVID rules permit, the family will hold a private gathering in remembrance of Dave.  Arrangements entrusted to Peaceful Transition York (2-15236 Yonge Street, Aurora) and condolences may be forwarded through peacefultransition.ca

 

CONDOLENCES

43 Condolences
  • Joanne Laval
    Posted on: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 Reply

    Rest In Peace dad, I love you and miss you already. You were a great man and left an amazing legacy. Xoxo

  • David Griffith
    Posted on: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 Reply

    You will be missed Dad.

  • Claire Braun
    Posted on: Thursday, January 27, 2022 Reply

    RIP Dad ❤️
    You were loved and admired by many people.

  • MRS SANDRA DURDLE
    Posted on: Thursday, January 27, 2022 Reply

    Forever missed and forever loved. Always here in my heart.

  • Dennis A. OLeary
    Posted on: Thursday, January 27, 2022 Reply

    Dear Sheena, we are saddened by the loss of Dave. He will surely be missed He we be in our prayers.

    Dennis A. O’Leary
    &
    Maretta Maar O’Leary

  • Vera Romoda
    Posted on: Thursday, January 27, 2022 Reply

    Sheena,
    I am not very good with words, but nevertheless my sincere condolences
    Vera

  • Alex Burbidge
    Posted on: Thursday, January 27, 2022 Reply

    Dear Sheena , Sandra, Chris, Joanne, Dave and Clare . Dave was a great man and friend of our family. He will truly be missed by all but he will also be fondly remembered. I hope if there is a heaven that Dave and Dad are catching up on old times. Rest In Peace.

  • Braeden Durdle
    Posted on: Thursday, January 27, 2022 Reply

    Rest in peace grandpa ❤ I will treasure all the memories we spent together. Especially working in the shop as a kid with you. I will miss you dearly Grandpa. Love you ❤

  • Isobel Burbidge
    Posted on: Thursday, January 27, 2022 Reply

    Rest peacefully dear friend.
    You will be remembered for the joy you brought to others with your singalongs, your fun loving spirit, and your loyalty and interest in your friends.
    We were blessed to have known that friendship for 55 years

    Our sincere sympathy to the family
    Sheena, Sandy, Christina, Joanne, David, Clare and Ed.

    Isobel Burbidge

  • Cathy and Neil Harris
    Posted on: Friday, January 28, 2022 Reply

    Our deepest condolences to the entire family. Dave was a wonderful father, grandfather and friend to many. He will be deeply missed, but forever in our memory.

  • Jennifer Assinck
    Posted on: Friday, January 28, 2022 Reply

    Dear Sheena and family. Our sincere condolences for your loss.

  • Tim Jones
    Posted on: Tuesday, February 1, 2022 Reply

    I enjoyed working with Dave for 12 years on Aurora Council, Dave served his community for all the right reasons. His contribution was valued by all of us that served with him. Rest In Peace Dave!
    Tim and Heather Jones

  • Jenefer Cavers
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    My heartfelt condolences to you, dear Sheena, and your family, as you mourn the parting of your wonderful man. Dave’s infectious smile remains a light in my memory.

  • Cyndy Skillins
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    so saddened to hear of the loss the Griffith family is experiencing. What an amazing individual to have shared life’s experiences will never be lost. From Birdhouse making to his music and wonderful smile – all added value to anyone who had the fortune to meet him.

  • Rosalyn Gonsalves
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    Sincere sympathy to Sheena and the family.
    May the fond memories be of comfort to you all at this sad time.
    R.I.P. David

    Rosalyn & George Gonsalves
    Aurora, ON

  • Dania Durdle
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    Rest in peace Grandpa ❤ you will forever be missed by our family. Thank you for all of the great memories. They will always be cherished. Love you.

  • Phyllis Morris
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    Truly saddened to hear the news .

    David was a real gentleman.

    I have a number of memories from years ago when we served the community together.

    Planting small trees 🌲 which are now tall & strong.

    Listening to the music he brought to life, at the Seniors Centre .

    And admiring the way he cherished & spoke about his family.

    Deepest condolences are sent to his wife , family and close friends.

    R.I.P.

    David’s was a life well lived

    Phyllis & Brian Morris

  • Julie Belgue (nee Gilbert)
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    My condolences to the entire family. Great memories with the Griffiths growing up in Aurora. May all the happy memories surround you and give you peace knowing it was a full life well lived indeed! Another great Auroran gone. Big hugs to all of you.
    Love
    Julie xox

  • Jane Taylor & Steve Falk
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    What good fortune we had when we moved next door to Dave & Sheena Griffith. Our family had the benefit of growing up surrounded by – and learning from – their wisdom, and fantastic senses of humour. Dave taught me to how to prune tomatoes (I never have mastered that), and Steve enjoyed helping out (ie, getting to use!) their snowblower. He bought extra flying saucers for our shared backyard luge run to make sure all kids could ride down at top speed. He was a fine man, made so many civic contributions to our community and most of all raised a wonderful family. They are his legacy. May you rest in peace, Dave.

  • Oudam Seng
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    I will miss seeing you Dave. He was a great man. My sincerest condolences.

  • Kathy Banks
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    To Sheena and family: My sincere condolences to you all. I was very saddened to read about Dave’s death. We were on the Aurora Library Board together for many years, as well as a few other committees at different intervals. I always admired and respected Dave’s sincerity, good nature, work ethic and empathy. The Town has lost a great asset ! May he RIP.

  • Grace Marsh
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    My sincere condolences to the Griffith family. Dave was a true gentleman.
    Grace Marsh

  • Brian and Marg Rice
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    Sheena, we are truly saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. I can’t believe it was only 5 months ago that he came out to admire our Raku firing.
    All the best to the family!
    Brian and Marg

  • Karen MacPherson
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    Sheena, Jane (Taylor) posted Dave’s obituary. I was saddened to read it. I’d met him a few times when visiting Jane and Steve, and you can always tell “one of the good ones”. May he rest in peace, and may your many fond memories bring you comfort. Karen MacPherson (old friend of your neighbours)

  • Jillian Lemmond
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    My deepest condolences to you and your family Sheena. Sending you love!

  • Jim Tree
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    Dave was a true gentleman in every sense of the word .Dave set the standard for his colleagues to follow, common sense and dignity were his trade marks . The staff at the town of Aurora held Dave in very high regard . My sincere condolences to Sheena and family
    Jim

  • Christina Johansen
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    You were a great dad. We will all miss you so much. Rest in peace.

    • Tim Dickinson
      Posted on: Thursday, February 3, 2022 Reply

      Hi Chris, so sorry for your loss. Hugs

  • Diane Jupp
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Reply

    Dear Sheena ,
    My deepest condolences to you and your family. May all the wonderful memories of Dave help you through this tough time
    Hugs, Diane Jupp

  • Jan and Steve Laughren
    Posted on: Thursday, February 3, 2022 Reply

    Sheena and Family,
    when I think of David it’s always with a big smile on his face. He was kind and loving and I admired his relationship with his children and with you Sheena. So many beautiful memories to hold on to. Love and blessings

  • Dianne Zecchino
    Posted on: Thursday, February 3, 2022 Reply

    So saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. Knowing Dave from choir, his voice will be missed. Condolences to his all his family.

  • Jim and Susan Abram
    Posted on: Thursday, February 3, 2022 Reply

    David will be greatly missed. We will miss you leading the music at the Seniors Centre and our many conversations. Sad news indeed.

  • Heather & George Collins
    Posted on: Thursday, February 3, 2022 Reply

    Dear Sheena, Our thoughts & prayers go out to you & the family at this sad time. There are many great memories of Dave that will be everlasting. For us, Dave’s love of music brought us all together at Aurora United Church. A few hijinks in the back row of Marie Devereux’s choir added to the lively nature of our musical crew of voices. Treasuring the time . Warm regards, Heather & George Collins

  • Heather Trusler
    Posted on: Thursday, February 3, 2022 Reply

    Dearest Sheena, Sandy, Chris, David and Claire,
    We were deeply saddened to learn of Dave’s passing. He was such a great friend to our whole family and we will miss his dynamic personality and delightful sense of humour. We send our deepest condolences at this sorrowful time.
    With our love,
    Jim and Heather

  • Margaret Hawkins
    Posted on: Thursday, February 3, 2022 Reply

    Dear Sheena, it’s with sorrow that I read of Dave’s passing and wish to extend my deepest condolences to you and your family. I sang with Dave and his brother Ed and Ed’s with Margaret at aurora United quite a few years ago when Marie Devereux was the music dire tor. Dave was a conscientious nut fun loving person and a very good singer who loved music. I have moved away from Aurora but it’s still in my memory and will stay bright with people like Dave.

  • Willo Rodrigues
    Posted on: Thursday, February 3, 2022 Reply

    I feel so honoured to have called David my friend. I learnt so much from his positive attitude towards his health, and it was such a joy just feeling his warm hellos at the Seniors centre. We had wonderful times singing together which I will always cherish. May you rest in peace and be happy with a life so well lived. My deep sympathy to you Sheena and your family.

  • Jack and Gail Witherspoon
    Posted on: Friday, February 4, 2022 Reply

    We are very saddened to learn of Dave’s passing, Our deepest sympathies and prayers to all the Griffith family at this difficult time.

    Jack and Gail Witherspoon

  • Luigi & Maria Scanga
    Posted on: Saturday, February 5, 2022 Reply

    Our Condolences to the Griffith family.
    We hold such wonderful memories of Dave. Always supportive, ready to help and a great friend.

    He will be greatly missed.

    Luigi & Maria Scanga & Family

  • Colleen Ferdinands
    Posted on: Saturday, February 5, 2022 Reply

    Dear Sheena
    I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time.
    Colleen

  • Una Meier
    Posted on: Sunday, February 6, 2022 Reply

    Sorry to hear about Dave. I enjoyed his company, guitar playing and singing at “The Keep Singing Group” at the Senior Centre

  • Joshua Johansen
    Posted on: Monday, February 7, 2022 Reply

    Rest in peace grandpa, you were such an important figure in our family and to Aurora, the memories of you and your family traditions will live on forever, praying your soul is at peace in heaven.

  • David Burbidge
    Posted on: Tuesday, February 8, 2022 Reply

    Dear Sheena, Sandy, Chrissy, Joey, David and Clare. I am so sorry for your loss. Dave was an amazing man and I will forever have the great memories of my time with him and your entire family. I especially remember sitting with him at the 60th wedding anniversary held for my Mom and Dad. Dave spent the entire time sitting beside my Dad reminiscing, making him laugh and keeping him company. His huge smile and infectious laugh were so genuine. He will be missed by many but never forgotten.

  • Glenn DiPasquale
    Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2022 Reply

    My sincerest condolences to Dave’s family and friends. I hadn’t seen Dave in a long time, but I played on the Knightmares Hockey team with him for many years. He was always a wonderful teammate: committed, competitive and funny, not necessarily in that order. Most of all though, I remember him as kind and accepting of everyone “warts and all”. To me he was a person who loved people and his community, and always conducted himself with such integrity. The world could use more Dave Griffiths.

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