Theodore A. Griffiths

Theodore A. Griffiths, age 87 of Manasquan passed away at home, Monday, October 2, 2017. Born in Sharon Hill, PA, he was raised in Wallingford, PA, where he graduated from Nether Providence High School in 1948. He spent a year at Penn State College of Engineering before enlisting in the Pennsylvania National Guard which was subsequently was activated and merged into the Air Force during the Korean War. He served two years in the Air Force at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, WA where he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in December of 1952. He joined the Gulf Oil Corporation at the Phildelphia Refinery in their Accounting Department in April of 1953 and in 1956 he became one of the nations earliest Computer Programmers. He attended the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Accounts and Finance in the evening and graduated from Wharton with a degree in Business Administration in 1969. His career with Gulf Oil spanned 40 years including Supervisor of Computer Programming, Supervisor of Refinery Fields and Inventories in the Operating Planning Department and retiring as a Computer Systems Manager in 1982. He had been a summer resident of Manasquan Beach since 1930 and retired here in 1992 from Cinnaminson, NJ. He was a member of the Squan Village Historical Society, National Railway Historical Society, The Toms River Seaport, New Jersey Museum of Boating, Monmouth County Rifle and Pistol Club, National Rifle Association and the Recreation Fishing Alliance and the Wissinoming Yacht Club. He was an avid boater and fishing enthusiast. He traveled all over the country researching railroad history and photographing trains. He is predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Alice Griffiths, his brother Thomas Griffiths and his niece Suzy Tuzio. Surviving are his loving wife Nancy, a nephew Paul Griffiths, grand nephew Jack and grand niece Ana. Also his stepsons Ronald and Michael Parker of Fort Mill, SC. His ashes will be scattered at sea off Manasquan. He also will be buried in his family plot in Riverside Cemetery, Norristown, PA. A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, October 9, 2017 at the Manasquan United Methodist Church, South Street. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Squan Village Historical Society, P.O. Box 262, Manasquan, NJ 08736-0262 Arrangements are under the direction of Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 36 Broad St, Manasquan