Notice of the Death of Former Dean of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Victor Griffin

It is with deep sadness that Saint Patrick’s Cathedral has learned of the death of the Very Revd Victor Griffin.

Born in Carnew, County Wicklow, in 1924, Dean Griffin was educated at Kilkenny College and Trinity College Dublin. He was ordained in 1948 for curacy at St Augustine’s in Derry. He served a second curacy at Christ Church in Derry where he became Rector in 1957 until 1968 when he was appointed Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral. He retired in 1991 and was living in Limavady.

Victor Griffin married Daphne Mitchell of Londonderry at All Saints’, Londonderry in May 1958; a teacher, she died of Multiple Sclerosis in 1998. The couple had twin sons, Kevin and Timothy, born in 1959.
Remembering Dean Griffin, The Very Reverend William Morton, Dean of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, said “Dean Victor Griffin will long be remembered as a most faithful and dedicated priest of the Church, and in that regard, especially for his courageous and enterprising leadership as Dean of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. He was a man who spoke out fearlessly on many issues—in the Church, in politics, education, and ethics—and did so with the strongest conviction to the Christian Gospel and with the promotion of a more inclusive and pluralist society, both north and south, always in mind. On behalf of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, I extend deepest sympathy to Dean Griffin’s family and wider circle.”

Paying tribute to Dean Griffin, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, said he learnt of the Dean’s death with sadness and regret. “While Dean of St Patrick’s his courage, friendliness and preaching were an inspiration to many. He remained fearless in voicing an open-hearted Anglicanism through the worship and witness of the Church of Ireland for all the people of Ireland. Equally at home in both parts of Ireland, his passing will evoke memories of his conviction and commitment to the causes of people ordinary and extraordinary in church and state. Our prayers are with his family in these times,” he stated.

Dean Griffin’s remains will be removed to Christ Church Limavady at 16.00 on Sunday 15 January. The funeral service will take place at 11.00 on Monday 16, followed by cremation at Roselawn at 16.00.