By:Curtis Morton
(CHARLESTOWN NEVIS) The Mannings Seventh Day Adventist Church was the venue for the funeral service of the late Phinehas Elihu Griffin.
The service took place on Sunday 4th October, witnessed by a few hundred persons.
The officiating clergy included, Pastor of the church, Delroy Josiah; Pastor Stanford Adams, Pastor Shelton Benjamin and Elder Curtis Griffin.
After opening remarks by Pastor Josiah, Pastor Shelton Benjamin read a tribute sent by Stephen Walwyn and then read one on his own behalf, during which he described the late community stalwart as ‘a mentor and friend.’ He also mentioned some of the famous quotations that he had learnt during their many conversations, which he indicated will remain with him for the rest of his life.
Curtis Morton then spoke about the distinguished contributions made by Mr. Griffin during his tenure as an Inspector with the St.Kitts- Nevis Social Security Board. He also read a poem which was entitled ‘All these and more’ which was dedicated to his memory.
Daughter of the deceased, Miss Kay Griffin, delivered the eulogy in stunning fashion and this was understandably injected with a fair portion of humour, simply due to the fact that Phinehas Griffin was endowed with a full portion of humour, which had been obviously passed on to his children.
She highlighted his many contributions to society as a hard working individual and an ardent church man and Christian.
Former Premier of Nevis, Hon. Joseph Parry spoke about Phinehas the politician and personal friend. He opined that Mr. Griffin was badly misunderstood by many and noted that he was a man who went into politics ‘with nothing and came out with nothing.’
“He served and he served well. He gave of his all to help people”, said Hon. Parry.
He pointed to two instances when Mr. Griffin’s love of people went far beyond what was expected.
In one instance he and Mr. Parry bought lights from personal funds to light the roads within their respective constituencies. Also, after the passage of hurricane Hugo in 1989, with Nevis somewhat devastated, Griffin used his connections with the world recognized ADRA agency to acquire well needed lumber and other building materials which were utilized to reconstruct homes across the island.
The scripture reading was rendered by another personal friend of the deceased, the venerable Dr. Alson B.H. Percival.
The sermon of the day was delivered by son of the deceased, Elder Curtis Griffin who focused on the theme ‘love one another.’
Despite the seriousness of the message and the occasion, this too was injected with a fair amount of humour as he got his points across to his captive audience.
The body was interred at the Mannings Seventh Day Adventist church cemetery in the same tomb where his wife of 58 years, Florence Griffin was interred one year earlier.