Robert Hadley Griffin

MANCHESTER — On March 29, 2023, Robert (Bob) Griffin, a well-known lifetime resident of Manchester, NH known to many as owner of Griffin Travel, passed away at the age of 87. The past few years had been hard on Bob without his wife Fran, who predeceased him in 2017 and he missed her dearly. Bob was being cared for in a nursing home in Nashua and passed away from natural causes.

Bob was born on July 22, 1936, and grew up in Manchester, NH. He was a graduate of Central High School and went on to attend New Hampton School and Colby College, where he was a letterman in sports.

After Colby College, Bob went into the Navy and played football in a Navy Enlisted League in Norfolk, Va. Bob married his true love, Fran (Dowd) Griffin in a large wedding in Nashua, the very first reception at the Nashua Country Club’s new dining room.

Bob’s mother owned and operated Griffin Insurance Agency and Griffin Travel in Manchester until her retirement when Bob took over the two businesses. He kept Griffin Travel, his primary interest, and was very active in the industry. He was the President of ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) for many years and won several awards and accolades. Fran joined him in the business and ran the Griffin Travel office for many years. They were able to travel the world extensively, visiting over 56 countries. Eventually they sold the Travel agency to Milne Travel but remained active in the Manchester office after the sale and into their retirement years.

Bob’s lifetime love and passion was football and he played football at many levels including high school, college, and the Navy. At six feet six inches, Bob was a lineman and very good at his position. He often related stories of his experiences playing football and gave thought to trying out for professional football.

In 1960, he became one of the first season ticket holders for the Boston Patriots. He became close friends with the Patriots owner Billy Sullivan, working closely with the Patriots organization for many years, at one point acting as their travel agent. He often traveled with the team to away games and was actively involved in game logistic preparation. Bob became the President of the Patriots 1776 Booster Club in the new Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro and attended all home games for many years until his health made it too much of a challenge. At one point while involved with the Patriots organization, he owned and managed 100 Season Tickets on the fifty-yard line. His tickets for the new Gillette Stadium were in the front row about mid-field and he and Fran attended three of the many Super Bowl games the Patriots participated in. They were friends with many of the Patriot veterans from the early years of the team.

Bob’s other passions included Lake Winnipesaukee and boating. When he was young, Bob worked summers on the Mount Washington cruise ship and loved the lake. His family owned a beautiful home on the shores of Governor’s Island where they enjoyed many summers. He also owned a vintage Crist Craft and spent many hours boating on the lake.

Bob was predeceased by his loving wife Fran, his parents, his sister Betsy and her husband Bob Morin. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces.