The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-06-03
Last Call! Friendliness, G o o d Nature, Energy of Late Private Pat rich P. Griffin
 of Fire Dept.
 Recalled.
Bx THE OFT EASTER

There was a feeling of sadness among old-time f1iremen the other day when Private Patrick P. Griffin, retired, died and was buried on Wednesday morning. You see he had been a fireman for around 30 years, came into the department originally in the era of the horse-drawn ap- paratus, and was one of the few still on the job whose duties com- pelled them to be in the service of the city q of the 24 hours of the day. Two days each month were granted each member of duty, with a vacation of a week or ten days annually. The rest of the fireman's time belonged to the city; he couldn't go anywhere; and no holiday could he apply for a day with his wife and family. That was the way of the fireman up >t to the establishment of the two-platoon system on July l, 1919, under the Sandland regime. The two-platoon cause swept the entire country, and labor prac- tically demanded its adoption for all firemen of the land.
 MT. Griffin came into the de- partment under the leadership of the late Chief Samuel c. Snagg, department chief since 1883. He not only served under Chief Snagg but also under Chief Henry H. Heitman, Chief Thomas J. Lynch and the present chief, Thomas F. Cavanaugh. And under all of these department heads, he was recognized as one of the best of the many good f1remen Waterbury has always had, and still has among its personnel.
 When Patrick Griffin joined the department he was young, ac- tive and quick in his movements. No one in the station moved faster than he. Big and strong, and athletic in appearance, he pos sessed such unusual strength that often-times the important part of a heavy lift, such as the flremen had at that time, was left to him. And he never wavered; he never objected; everything in him he was ready and willing to give for the good city that employed him. He was sincere in his appreciation of the position he occupied. It was this feeling that really made him the outstanding fireman he was admitted to be in all of his long years in the department. As @ young man, he was a Gaelic foot ball player, and with other Irish men like him, took part in some of the important games played in the old driving park years ago. It was in these games, as we quoted above, that his unusual alertnesS proved of so much value to the other members of the team.
 With a disposition that seemed to impress Private Griffin brought himself close to the heart and af- lection of his fellow workers. He never seemed to hold the so- called "grouch" that so many peo- pie are accustomed to have now and then, or if he did he laughed it of quickly. His company was such that it was accepted at all times by his numerous acquaint- anceS.
 A service like that of Private Griffin in the fire department proves the real worth of the man by reason of the high endorse ment bestowed upon him by Chief Cavanaugh, under whom he served with Engine at the old Scovill street station. No one knew Pri- vate Griffin better than did Chief Cavanaugh. and in his regular orders officially notifying the de- partment members of his death dwelth specifically with the im- portance of the man as a fireman in a day when few members com- prised the personnel, and when active duty was most important to command the equipment neces- sary for the proper control of a fire.
 Private Grimm is dead and buried.
 But the friendliness of the man and the exclelent service he per- formed will not be forgotten by those who were in a position to observe his conduct and respect for the men who were his com- manding officers during his long connection with this branch of the rity Snrvica