Gary R. Griffith was born on July 19, 1952 in Montclair, New Jersey to Robert and Millicent Griffith. He grew up in North Caldwell, NJ. From a young age, Gary embraced life with an unmatched enthusiasm. He loved watching the Yankees with his father and spending summers lifeguarding at the Wildwood Swim Club. He vacationed in Ocean City, NJ with his family, where he made friends on Surf Road beach. In high school, when he wasn’t competing on the football field, hockey rink, or baseball diamond, he was finding new ways to make people laugh, as evidenced by his being voted BOTH class chatterbox AND class clown when he graduated West Essex Regional High School in 1970.
He attended Ursinus College where he majored in history, played baseball and basketball, and even tried acting. Gary graduated from the University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law in 1977 and fulfilled a lifelong dream of practicing law at the beach, first in Atlantic City at Mairone, Biel, Zlotnick, Feinberg, Griffith and Stanger and then in Ocean City where he opened his own law firm, Griffith and Carlucci, PC. Gary filled his life with many endeavors: he owned multiple businesses in Ocean City, coached teams from softball to mock trial and served on the Ocean City Board of Education.
Nothing compared to Gary’s love for his wife and family. He met Sharon at the Logan Hotel on 6th Street, a story frequently told and beloved by his kids. He would smile as he recounted cracking jokes, catching Sharon’s eye, and prompting her to later tell her parents, “I’ve never met anyone like him in my life.”
Gary delighted in his four children and emphasized to them the importance of hard work, tenacity and integrity. He rooted for his children and celebrated them every chance he had.
Gary is survived by his wife Sharon (Buysse), his daughters Sam Griffith, Joy Bowers and Mercy Griffith, his son Solomon Griffith, his sons-in-law Marty Kopec and Patrick Bowers, his granddaughter Cleo Griffith-Kopec, and his sister, Kyle Price and her husband Scott Price, of Ocean City.
Gary loved Jesus and studying scripture to grow in understanding of his God and King. He served as an elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, NJ. God gave Gary a supernaturally positive attitude and light, no matter the circumstances. Gary did not allow his circumstances to impede his ability to love his wife, show up for his friends and family, or put his all into everything he did. He lived by his favorite mantra: if you’re going to do something, do it right. And for Gary, “right” meant exceptionally and gratefully—and with a heaping dash of humor.
On June 2, 2026, surrounded by his family, he ran into the open arms of his Heavenly Father. We praise God for the man that he was, the example he set for those around him, and his eternal life in Heaven.
Arrangements are by The Godfrey Funeral Home of Ocean City. For condolences to the family, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com
