Robert H. “Bob” Griswold, 83, of 47 Bennett St., Hornell, passed away at his home early Sunday morning (March 17, 2013), surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born in Hornell, NY on September 23, 1929, the son of Harold and Florence (Dougherty) Griswold. He was a lifelong resident of Hornell.

Bob was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1948) where he excelled in football as a four-year varsity player and was a member of the Red Raider Track Team. As a senior, Bob served as vice president of the Hornell High School Student Council.

He was employed at the former Erie Railroad, Erie-Lackawanna Railroad and Conrail for over 40 years in many capacities, including the Stores Department.  Bob was also employed for over 25 years at the Hornell YMCA, including over 10 years as physical director.  In his younger years, he worked at the Hornell Classic and Supreme Ice Cream in Hornell.

Bob was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and an usher.  For many years he taught Sunday school at St. Ann’s and was active with their Squires youth group.  Bob was a fourth degree member and two-term grand knight of the Hornell Knights of Columbus, where he was a member for over 60 years.  Bob was also a member of the Hornell Moose, Hornell Elks Lodge, IOOF and the Association.  Bob was an active member of the Hornell Alumni Association, where he was proud to serve as president from 1980-1987, and was a longtime member of the Sports Hall of Fame Committee.

Bob began his service with the Hornell YMCA in 1950 with the Sunday School Basketball League. His involvement lasted over 55 years as scorer, referee, coach, treasurer and, for many years, president. In the mid-1950s, Bob co-founded the Biddy and Intermediate Basketball Leagues at the YMCA.  For the first 15 years, Bob refereed all four Saturday morning Biddy League games. Bob Griswold’s name has been synonymous with the Elks Hoops Shoot, which he initiated at the YMCA in the late 1950s. He subsequently expanded it to the whole Southern Tier region. In the early 1960s Bob started and ran the annual 7th and 8th grade boys basketball tournament at the “Y” which attracted teams from around New York State and northern Pennsylvania. At the YMCA, Bob felt it was important to extend all sports programs equally to girls. He pushed for, and helped found, basketball programs for girls and provided equal access to all YMCA programs.

Bob Griswold’s service to Hornell’s youth at the YMCA went well beyond sports. He felt that young people needed other activities to socialize and “keep them off the streets.” For many years, he organized and chaperoned the greatly anticipated weekly dances. Many local bands had their first public exposure at the “Y,” including Axis Power in the 1960s. Bob also felt that no child should be denied access to the YMCA due to financial reasons.

Bob was instrumental in the formation of the Hornell Grasshopper Baseball League and the Hornell Cinderella Softball League.  For many years, he was involved with the Hornell Little League, serving on its board and as Little League president.  Bob was also a longtime board member, treasurer and coach in Babe Ruth and Senior Babe Ruth leagues. He was involved with forming and coaching the Midget Football League.

Griswold, affectionately known as “Grizzy” was also a lifelong fan of the University of Notre Dame, especially the Fighting Irish football team.  This love affair began in his youth while listening to ND games with the priests of St. Ann’s church and solidified during a trip to South Bend, IN to see the Fighting Irish in person. A longtime season ticket holder, Bob’s most famous moment at Notre Dame was at the Notre Dame vs. USC game in 1973 when, at the conclusion of a big ND victory, he was seen dancing at the 50-yard line in the middle of the Notre Dame Band as they played the fight song.

Grizzy taught the youth of Hornell by his example, emphasizing hard work, fair play and, most of all, sportsmanship.  He preached respect for all coaches, referees and umpires.  Bob spent a lifetime pointing the youth of Hornell in the “right direction.”  With Griz, it was not whether you won or lost, but how you played the game. Many times throughout the years, Bob personally provided sneakers, swimsuits, clothing or part-time jobs to young men and women. Bob’s position at the YMCA and in all the other organizations afforded him the opportunity to counsel many “troubled” young people. He was always very moved to hear back from them through the years and was proud to have made a difference in their lives.  Bob was frequently recognized for his selfless service; among the most prominent of his recognitions were the Jaycee Distinguished Service to Youth Award (1967), Little League Hall of Fame (1985), Knights of Columbus Sportsman of the Year (1995) and Hornell HS Hall of Fame (1995). 

Robert Griswold’s oldest son, Robert says, “Dad had made such an incredible difference in the lives of so many young people in Hornell. Speaking for my eleven siblings, I can say how blessed we were to have been raised by two parents like dad and our deceased mom, Genevieve. Dad would always say that ‘their greatest accomplishment was raising twelve wonderful children and to be part of the lives of his 40 grandchildren.’ ”

Bob was married on August 26, 1950 at St. Ignatius Church, to the former Genevieve “Gen” Hall who died August 23, 2003.  He was also preceded in death by a son, Daniel Griswold; two brothers, James Griswold and Paul Griswold; and two sisters, Betty Cipolla and Rosemary Argentieri.

Surviving are six sons, Dr. Robert (Peggy) Griswold of Staten Island, Terry (Carol) Griswold of Rochester, Thomas (Elizabeth) Griswold of New Hope, PA, David (Joan) Griswold of Holmdel, NJ, Dr. John (Amelia) Griswold of Clarence, NY and Chris (Jennifer) Griswold of Fayetteville, GA; six daughters, Linda (David) Holevinski of Hemlock, Marie (Chuck) VanHeusen of Fayetteville, NC, Margaret (George) Nobilski of Rochester, Patricia (Bruce) Covert of Richland, WA, Jackie (Shawn) Day of Hornell and Kathy (Mike) Congdon of Savanna, GA; 1 brother, Don Griswold of Alfred; 1 sister, Margaret “Peg” Griswold of Hornell; his sister-in-law, Ruth Griswold of Hornell; his brother-in-law, Mike Cipolla of Hornell, sister-in-law Yvonne Youll of Batavia, brother-in-law Bill Hawkins of Bath; 40 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; “adopted” daughters Kathy Nash and Nora Casey and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Robert H. “Bob” Griswold will receive friends on Sunday from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM and from
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

The family of Robert Griswold would like to express their sincere appreciation to caregiver Kim Campbell for the loving, attentive care she gave to our father. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to St. Ann’s Church, 27 Erie Ave. Hornell, NY 14843 or the Hornell YMCA/SSBL, 18 Center St., Hornell, NY 14843 or the Hornell Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.