Thomas Paul Griffen

Mr. Thomas Paul Griffen, of Ellijay, husband of Anne (Spach) Griffen, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022,  with his beloved wife by his side at Hospice Solace Center in Asheville, N.C.

He was a brave, creative, compassionate person with a brilliant wit and gentle, yet courageous spirit. He shared his love, laughter and light with many people.

Born in Hartford, Conn., Feb. 7, 1951, to the late Selden K. Griffen Jr. and Vera Mae (Nystrup) Griffen, he was a former resident of New Britain, Conn. He was a graduate of the University of Connecticut Law School and after passing the bar exam became a partner at Sweeney & Griffen.

He had a passion for archaeology, history, art, music and literature, interests he sustained from his teenage years until his passing. In 2010, he reunited with his college girlfriend, Anna Spach Thomerson and they married the next year. He retired from his legal career in 2013. He and Anna then moved south, making the mountain city of Ellijay their home. In that community, he became a self-taught painter of miniature landscapes. He and Anna became vendors at numerous festivals, while enjoying the serenity and solitude of the mountains. He also became deeply engaged in Christian spirituality and made his relationship to Christ central in his life. He and Anna founded the One Cross to One Person outreach ministry.

Besides his wife Anna, he leaves a son, Augustus Smith Griffen, of Farmington, Conn.; stepchildren, Alexander Thomerson, of Ellijay, Julea Thomerson, of Nashville, Tenn.; nieces and nephew, Virginia Griffen, of Middletown, Conn., Laura Brazeil, of New York, Rebecca and Selden Griffen IV, of Kensington, Conn.;  devoted sister-in-law, Donna Griffen, of Kensington; and beloved aunt, Virginia.

He is preceded in death by brother, Selden Kenneth Griffen.

A memorial service will be held at Fellowship Presbyterian Church in Jasper, at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.

Donations can be made in memory of Thomas Paul Griffen to LBD Research Fund of the American Brain Foundation at www.give.americanbrainfoundation.org or to Fellowship Presbyterian Church, 389 Bent Tree Drive, Jasper, GA 30143 with the Griffen Memorial Fund.