David Joseph Griffin, 67, Cold Spring

David Joseph Griffin, 67, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep Saturday, January 4, 2014 at his home in Cold Spring, Minnesota.  
David was born to Richard and Florence Griffin at San Diego Naval Hospital  Valentine’s Day 1946. He was the eldest of 11 children.
Dave graduated from Benson High School. He studied biology at St. John’s University where he was an All-American football player, having played on the 1965 national championship team. From 1970 to 1976, he worked at the St. Cloud Children’s Home as a counselor, after which he became a self-taught cabinetmaker, gardener, winemaker, and fruit tree farmer.  With endless curiosity, he explored the world of Minnesota peach and apricot propagation, and worked passionately toward developing cold hardy fruit varieties.  
Dave loved nature and was a devoted steward of the earth.  He was a builder and fixer, an independent thinker; he was wise, kind, humble, jolly, influential, and he had the courage to live the life he wanted.
Dave was preceded in death by his father, and nephews Kevin Jensen and Will Griffin.  
He is survived by his mother, Florence; best friend Carmen Converse; children: Dan (Amanda), Ben (Jen), and Maggie of former spouse Mary Roos; siblings: Kathy (Paul) Smaagaard, Tim (Holly Munson), Irene Jensen, Loretta, Jack (Trish Murphy), Karen (Eric) Haynes, Tom (Jude), Martha (Keith Thompson), Sarah (Greg) Pflaster, and Jim (Josie); and beloved grandchildren Liam, Ewen, Laney, Aubrey, and Jace; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, neighbors and friends.
To be contacted with memorial service information or to share memories, please email davegriffinmemories@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, send memorials to “Dave’s Garden Fund” at State Bank of Cold Spring, which will help ensure the legacy of Dave’s work.