Paul Griffith

Paul R. Griffith 85 of Zanesville passed away April 8, 2025, after a series of illnesses. Born in Akron Ohio on November 25, 1939, he often referred to himself as a Thanksgiving turkey.

He was many other things as well. After high school, he briefly attended St. Lawrence University in Corning NY on a football scholarship. Next came the marine corps, where he served at Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, and performed disaster relief in Puerto Rico. After the Marines he returned to Akron and worked a series of factory jobs including at Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Twinsburg Stamping, and B. F. Goodrich Corporation. At age 40 he found sobriety and at the urging of the United Rubber Workers, he became a substance abuse counselor. He then went to the University of Akron and got a BS and MS in Psychology. Through the 1980’s until 2008, he performed counseling, working for Tri-County EAP and performing DUI schools on the weekends. He moved to Zanesville in 2018 and spent his last years living at Abbott Senior Living, and cruising around on the SEAT bus to play bridge and go to the gym.

He is survived by his daughters, Cassie Ridenour (Chris Cook) and April Griffith; Grandchildren, Otto Ridenour and Renata Griffith; Great Grandchildren, Mariah and Nakia Hambrick.

Visitation will be at Burrell Funeral Services, 414 LaSalle Street, Zanesville OH 43701, April 23 from 3-4 with a service at 4pm. BURRELL FUNERAL SERVICES is serving the family.