Hayden L. Griswold Jr

Hayden Leavenworth Griswold Jr., 93 of Pompano Beach, Fl and Chatham, MA, a former resident of Manchester, CT, passed away peacefully after a very brief illness on December 2, 2015 in Florida. He is survived by his beloved wife Marjorie (Cushman) Griswold after 71 years of marriage. They were childhood sweethearts. He is also survived by his loving children, Brent Griswold and his wife Carolyn (Rasmussen) Griswold of Manchester as well as his daughter, Diane Tracy (Griswold) Johnston of Cohasset, MA; three grandchildren, Sydney and Chad McConathy and Alexander Johnston; two great-grandchildren, Declan and Hayden McConathy; a brother, Albert Griswold of Peabody, MA. He was predeceased by his brother, James Griswold.
He was born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1922 in Rocky Hill, CT to Hayden Leavenworth Griswold Sr. and Maude (Homewood) Griswold. He was a graduate of Manchester High School and the University of Connecticut.
Captain Hayden L. Griswold served as a combat infantry platoon leader responsible for the lives of many men. He was promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to Captain on the battlefield of the Battle of the Bulge at age 21. The average life of a 2nd LT in action in combat was 14 minutes. He proudly referred to himself always as an "Army guy", a G.I. We should all know what those initials stand for.
Hayden served his country and community during and after the war developing his father's engineering company into a major business. He was a popular leader for the local Masonic Temple, Lodge #73 in Manchester, following in his father's role as grand worshipful master. At that time it had the largest lodge membership in Connecticut.
He was an active member of many service organizations, including Kiwanis, Rotary Club, Town engineer for 5 towns and deacon of his church, Center Congregational in Manchester, CT. He was an active promoter for the homeless and battered women's homes.
He loved baseball and football and prior to the war he played semi-pro baseball making it to the nationals. He will be dearly missed by all his family members and friends.
Services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 11:30 AM at the Center Congregational Church, 11 Center Street, Manchester with a Masonic service followed by the Funeral service. Burial with military honors will be in the East Cemetery in Manchester. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriner's Childrens Hospital, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104-2396.
The Watkins Funeral Home in Manchester has care of arrangements. To leave a message for his family please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com .



Service DetailsWednesday, December 9th, 2015 11:30am, Center Congregational Church
Interment DetailsEast Cemetery