Morro Bay’s Bryan Griffiths will be sorely missed by many. He passed away March 2 after a long illness. He was surrounded by the family that deeply loved him. To the end he lived his life with daily joy often enjoying his favorite song, “What a Wonderful World.”
His family, plus his Torrance Fire Department family and countless friends he met throughout the United States and Canada knew Bryan for his relentless kindness and generosity, his loving nature and zany sense of humor.
Bryan was a native of Canada, born in 1942 to Evan and Doris Griffiths in Vancouver, BC. The family relocated to the Manhattan Beach area in 1950 when he was 8-years-old, trading Canadian winters for the Southern California beach scene. It was there while attending Aviation High School that Bryan found his passion for long distance running. His talent and excellence earned him many records and accolades plus a treasured memory being a torchbearer for the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Bryan discovered Morro Bay in 1962 on his honeymoon with his beloved first wife Beverly Jean, who he lost in 2000. They had two children, Brent Steven born 1963 and Jeanine Marie born 1964. Bryan loved his life as a firefighter working with the Torrance Fire Department until he retired in 2000. He commuted three days on, three days off after he moved to Morro Bay in 1997.
He found love again and married Kelly in 2016. Life in Morro Bay centered around home and community. Bryan was an avid birder and passionate gardener who took great pride in his rose garden, feeding the Koi in his pond and hand feeding the scrub jays peanuts. He enjoyed his membership with Morro Bay Rotary especially the time he won the “Best Dressed” trophy during the 8th Annual Golf Classic when he showed up dressed in a white jumpsuit and caddied for Rick Grantham. He and Kelly enjoyed many summer trips camping on the beach on Vancouver Island along with many of his Canadian cousins. Bryan was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Beverly and his brother Kent. He is survived by his wife Kelly Griffiths and his son Brent Griffiths, both of Morro Bay; his daughter Jeanine Fields (Dave), of Aloha, Oregon; his sisters Gaye Roberts (Greg) and Julie Griffiths; and four granddaughters: Janetmarie Fields, Jackie Johnson, Kiersten White and Brianna Griffiths; and five great grandchildren. The family invites friends to his celebration of Bryan’s life Saturday, May 24, 2 p.m. at his Morro Bay home, Herons Roost, 193 Main Street.
