Dr. Vincent William Griffis has gone home to be with the LORD

 

 

Dr. Vincent William Griffis went home to his Savior on Saturday, September 27, 2014. 

Vince was the second son of Dr. Paul and Dorothy Griffis.  Paul Griffis had attended PBTS from 1929 until 1932 where he graduated as Salutatorian of his class.  Paul joined the faculty of Practical in 1952 and became the dean of academics in 1963. 

 

(L-R) Vincent Griffis, Paul Griffis, Dorothy Griffis, Darry Griffis (1964 Theologue)

Vince became of a student of Practical Bible Training School in the fall of 1964.  He became roommates with Walt Schlundt and friends with Jerry Traister and Dino Pedrone.  The four of them would become life-long friends.  Vince's freshman year was also the senior year for Woodrow Kroll and Gilbert Parker. 

Vince graduated from Practical Bible Training School in 1967 along with Walt, Jerry, and Dino. 

During his studies at PBTS, Vince met Suzanne Sisson.  The two would marry on January 24, 1969 after Vince received his Bachelor degree from Calvary Bible College. 

 

Vince's Senior Picture (1967 Theologue)

 

 

Vince and Sue moved to New England soon after being married where Vince taught at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf.  He was called onto becoming the headmaster for the Christian of Greater Fall River.  He served there for fourteen years.  In those years all four of their children were born: Aron, Andrew, Abigail, and Adam. 

 

The LORD still had a work for the Griffis family.  In 1988 Vince and Sue joined Wycliffe Bible Translators.  After training they were sent to Cameroon.  Vince started the Rain Forest International School for the Missionary Kids (MKs) and nationals.  They returned to the States in 2007. 

 

Vince and Sue

Vince and Sue with Dr. Dino Pedrone (2008)

 

 

On Saturday, May 10, 2009 Vince was given the first honorary doctorate from Davis College at the commencement.  He also delivered the main address to the graduating class. 

 

 

Vince Speaking to the graduating class of 2009

 

(L-R) Sue Griffis, Vince Griffis, Walt Schlundt, Jerry Traister, Dino Pedrone, Janice Chandler

 

Vince had been fighting cancer for many years, but was still able to come to Homecoming at his Alma Mater including his 45th class reunion in 2012. 

 

Class of 1967 (45th reunion)

 

Vince had been fighting cancer for sixteen years when the LORD called His faithful servant home to glory.  At his memorial service on Saturday, October 4, 2014 in Swansea, MA friends and family remembered his love for family and friends and his mischief.  He was able to say goodbye to all of his kids before his homegoing. 

 

You will be missed Vince.  Thank you for serving our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ with your whole heart. 

 

To read his obituary click here. 

 

Donations can be made to the college.  A fund has been setup in his name:

 

Vincent Griffis Memorial Fund at Davis College, 400 Riverside Dr., Johnson City, NY 13790

More 35mm slides

The Manrow Building (better known as the League Building)

The tearing down of Davis Hall in 1965 after the finishing of Chatlos-Davis behind it

The constructing of the Robb Gymnasium in January 1980

Dr. Woodrow Kroll and Dr. Walter Schlundt in 1981 after Dr. Kroll became president

Here are a couple more pictures from the 35mm slides I have been transferring to digital format. These show from the late 1950s through the early 1980s.

Homecoming 2009: Part 1 (September 24, 2009)

Dr. Dino Pedrone (1967)

Several Contributors honored at dinner

Dr. Dale Linebaugh (class 1949) and Opal Linebaugh

Dr. Dale Linebaugh, Opal Linebaugh, Bobbie Pedrone and Dr. Dino Pedrone

Mary and Roger Knapton (Class of 1950)

Dr. Dale Linebaugh (class 1949 and 7th president of Davis), Dr. Walter Schlundt (Class 1967), and Robert Linebaugh (head of technology services at Davis)

Today, was the first day of Homecoming 2009 at Davis College. Several pastors and Alumni are on campus. Dr. Paige Patterson, the current president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, spoke during the sessions in the Robb Activity Center. Dr. Dale Linebaugh and his wife Opal are here to celebrate the Class of 1949's 60th class reunion. Grace (Jones) Fabian is here for the class of 1959's 60th class reunion. The Class Agents (of whom I am the one for the class of 2007) met to in Lowe Hall this afternoon to discuss the college. It was a great meeting of Alumni. Several Alumni and Friends of the College were honored tonight for the gifts they gave to the college over the years. Today, was a great day and I look forward to tomorrow and sharing in the celebration of several Alumni. At 2 PM Lowe Hall I will present the History of the College to anyone that would like to attend.

Graduation 2009: May 9, 2009

Dr. Dino Pedrone, Rev. Vince Griffis, Mr. Chris Seavey

The Class of 2009

Senior Chris Dorais with Rev. Jerry Traister, Chairperson of Board (Class 1967)

Dr. Dino Pedrone, President (Class 1967)

Naomi and her parents from Sri Lanka

(L-R) Daniel Rathmell, Church Relations (Class 1973), his wife, Terry Robertson, Elizabeth Robertson, Mary Knapton (class 1950), Roger Knapton (class 1950), Dr. Dino Pedrone (1967), Terry and Elizabeth's two sons.

Members of the class of 1967 (and adopted 1968 member)
(L-R) Suzanne (Sisson) Griffis (1967), Vincent Griffis (1967), Walter Schlundt (1967), Jerry Traister (1967), Dino Pedrone (1967), and Janice (Weatherbee) Chandler (1968)

Graduation 2009 went very well on Saturday, May 9, 2009. A new group of Alumni have gone out of the halls of our fine college. The Sun never sets on PBTS, PBC, Davis Alumni and it so true in seeing the students that are leaving the college to go out into the world. There were many special events that happened during the ceremony. During the ceremony an award of Trustee Emeritus was awarded to Rev. Gordon Hay (Class 1954). Also a first for Davis College was the conferring of Honorary Doctorates.

The New York State Education Department has authorized Davis College to grant honorary doctorates. The Doctor of Divinity degree is conferred on individuals who have distinguished themselves in Christian ministry and leadership. Their life and service in ministry exemplifies the college's mission of impacting the world for Jesus Christ. Today the college honors two distinguished servants of the Lord with the Doctor of Divinity degree.

The two people that received them were Vincent Griffis and Terry Robertson.

From the program the bios of each:

Vincent W. Griffis spent most of his formative years on the campus of Davis College, graduating from PBTS in 1967. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Calvary Bible College, a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from Rhode Island College and a Master of Business Administration from Southeastern Massachusetts University. He is presently a doctoral candidate (Ed.D.) at Boston University. Vincent has served as headmaster of the Christian School of Greater Fall River, Massachusetts and was also the director of Rain Forest International School in Cameroon. Currently, he is serving as a Scripture Use Researcher with Wycliffe Bible Translators, examining how much use is made of the vernacular Scriptures in Cameroon. Vincent is married to Suzanne, and they have four children and one grandson. Griffis Hall in the Chatlos Building is named after his father who was a faculty member and administrator at PBTS.

Terry M. Robertson was raised in Alabama where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Samford University in Birmingham. He earned a Master in Religious Education degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He now serves as the Executive Director and Treasurer of the Baptist Convention of New York with offices in East Syracuse, New York. Terry has pastored churches in Alabama, New Jersey and New York and also served as the Director of Missions for Frontier Baptist Association of Buffalo. His passion is the church and reaching the lost with the Gospel message. He is actively involved in. church planting responsibilities in the central New York state region. Terry is married to Elizabeth, and they have three children and one grandson.

After receiving his honorary Doctorate of Divinity the now Dr. Vincent Griffis gave an address to the Graduating Class. He addressed them about the troubles that they will face, but to continue on. He gave wisdom from the Scriptures about the importance of prayer in a believers life. How we don't do it enough, but it is so critical.

After Dr. Griffis spoke the degrees were handed out as a new group of Alumni entered the school history. The ceremony concluded with a prayer of dedication and the singing of the Alma Mater.