Today we put the spotlight on a long time resident of Kezar Falls known for his work with young people.
Sidney Owen Griffith was born in Harrisville, RI on June 14, 1889 to Charles and Emma Griffith. He attended Burleighville High School there. He first came to know Maine when he attended Bliss Business College in Lewiston. He lived in Somerville, MA for 13 years and later in Medford, MA and was employed as New England Manager in Boston for the Whitlock Cordage & Twine Co.
He married Blanche Ridlon in Somerville in 1913. She was born in Kezar Falls the daughter of Frank and Luella Ridlon. She graduated from Porter High School in 1911 after which her family moved to Saugus, MA. The Griffiths returned to Kezar Falls in 1933 and he was employed by the Kezar Falls Woolen Mill as a “percher” in the weave room for 28 years.
Owen Griffith was always interested in the youth of the community. He gave much time over the years to coaching high school dramatics, as well as other local groups presenting plays and minstrel shows. He coached more than 100 Porter High School students in junior prize speaking. Many of them took top honors in the 25 years he devoted to working with young people in dramatics.
He taught Junior Members of Christian Service of the Riverside Methodist Church where he was a member for 29 years. He also managed local baseball teams and scored every Little League game for 14 years.
Owen was a member and held offices of the Ossipee Lodge, Knights of Pythias for 50 years. He was also a member of the Parsonsfield Porter Historical Society. His civic duties included 7 years as a member of the Parsonsfield School Committee.
He still had time for hobbies including hunting, fishing and had a large tropical seashell collection gathered while wintering in Florida.
The Griffiths had three children, Anne (Mrs. Harry Hadlock), Ruth (Mrs. Edmund Hadlock) and Sidney Owen Griffith, Jr,
Owen Griffith died on April 18, 1975, at the age of 85. His wife died previously in April 1974. They are buried at the Kezar Falls Burial Grounds.
