Jacob Griffin

Jacob (Jake) Aster Griffin, Jr. was born on November 20, 1948 to Jacob A. Griffin, Sr. and Gladys Hurdle-Griffin in Newark, NJ, where he resided for the duration of his childhood with his two sisters. Jake started pumping gas at age nine, and by middle school age, he worked in his father’s brake and front-end shop. His father instilled in him the importance of growing and maintaining his own business. After high school, he joined the National Guard and served as a truck mechanic and chauffeur for military brass. Shortly after joining, Jake’s father suffered a heart attack and Jake received a “hardship discharge” and returned home.

Jacob was passionate about entrepreneurship, family and education. While helping in his father’s shop, he sold insurance door to door and eventually opened his own business selling property and casualty insurance. His success allowed him to employ his mother and sisters and eventually open another insurance agency in Plainfield, NJ. He earned his master’s degree from Rutgers University for Rehabilitation Counseling and was a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

In 1975, Jake married the love of his life, Marsha, and adopted her son, Shane. Jake accepted Christ as his personal Savior on Memorial Day, 1987. Jacob became an avid student of the Word of God, and served in various ministries at Provision of Promise Ministries in Newark. He continued his service as a member of the Church Council at The Gathering Place in Hackettstown, NJ where he accepted the call to ministry as a counselor. He grew in the Lord to become an Elder, serving at Greater Shiloh Church under the leadership of Senior Pastor Phil Davis. Jake used his ministry and personal opportunities to reach men and teens. His positive, Christian influence helped many whose lives could have been drastically altered or taken early from substance abuse and negative influences.

After almost 10 years of continuous treatments for cancer, Jake went home to glory on October 12, 2019 in his home. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 44 years, Marsha Griffin; one son, Shane Carter-Griffin;  two sisters: Evelyn Griffin and Aleta Griffin-Smith; one sister in law, Brenda Bertsch; three aunts: Caroline Spencer, Mary Oulds, and Elizabeth Monroe; two nieces: Keisha Griffin-Manderville and Mara Blake; three grandchildren, two great-nieces, two great nephews, and a host of cousins, friends and loved ones. He is greatly missed for his hearty laugh, his gifts of encouragement, wisdom, and his listening ear.

Funeral Services will take place on Friday at 2PM in the Main Sanctuary of Greater Shiloh Church 403 Pastor Fred Davis Street, Easton, PA.  Viewing begins at 1PM.

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