Robert T. Griffin

Of the many notable things he did in his life after growing up in the small town of Paxton, Mass., Robert T. Griffin always said one of his earliest accomplishments remained among his proudest: He became the first member of his family to graduate from college when he completed his degree at Holy Cross in 1969. 

After serving two years in the Army, Mr. Griffin launched his 14-year career with Aetna. He spent the next 28 years with Paine Webber and the UBS financial services firm, where he was a vice president.

Mr. Griffin and his wife, Eileen Morris, were married on Dec. 7, 2016, and maintained residences in East Hampton and Stuart, Fla., where he died of cancer at home on Jan. 11. He was 71. 

It was Ms. Morris, a 40-year resident of East Hampton Village, who introduced Mr. Griffin to East Hampton 18 years ago. “When we were there, we loved doing all the things people there love to do,” Ms. Morris said. “We played golf, we loved the beach, we loved being able to walk into town to go to the movies and Guild Hall. We had a lot of family we visited in the area.” 

Mr. Griffin was born on Aug. 28, 1947, to C. Robert Griffin and Dorothy Jule Griffin in Worcester, Mass. He is survived by a brother, John Griffin of Spencer, Mass., and was predeceased by his other brother, Ricky Griffin.

He is also survived by a son, Christopher Griffin of San Diego, two stepdaughters, Kelly Morris of Santa Fe, N.M., and Hillary Heidelberg of Palm City, Fla., and a stepson, Whitten Morris of Brooklyn. He leaves one granddaughter and four step-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on Jan. 16 at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Stuart. Mr. Griffin was cremated. A remembrance of his life will be held for family and friends on March 12 in Stuart at the Morris-Griffin family home.

The family has suggested memorial donations to Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 S.E. Indian Street, Stuart, Fla. 34997.