Edward J. Griswold, Sr.

     Edward Joseph Griswold, Sr.

     Born November 26, 1933 to Mary (Pfister) and Leigh Griswold.  Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on December 21, 2020.

     Ed attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Conneaut High School in 1951.  He attended Buckeye Boys State during his high school years and started working for his father at Lafferty and Griswold Furniture.

     On February 20, 1954 he married Veronica ‘Sally” Shuster and together they raised four children, Mary, Ed Jr., Patrick and Jean.

     He was a member of Corpus Christi Parish and St. Mary’s.  He was a 15-year season ticket holder for the Cleveland Browns and a loyal fan of Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Ohio State.  During his traveling years he and Sally enjoyed attending many Bob Hope Classic golf tournaments.

     Ed was a man of many trades throughout his life but was most remembered for being Mayor of the City of Conneaut for a total of 16 years.  He started his working life in furniture and upholstery repair and carpet laying and was proud to have completely carpeted St. Mary’s church.  He was a bus Driver picking up many Conneaut and Kingsville children and getting them safely to and from school.  He started his political career as a Democratic City Councilman which continued to his election as Mayor.  He served as the Personnel Director for District 4, for the State of Ohio, served as the Director of Weights and Measures for Ashtabula County Auditor’s Office and finally served as the Village Administrator for the Village of Genoa, Ohio.  His legacy continues with the Conneaut City Hall Annex, the Broad Street Underpass, and the Village of Genoa’s Senior Citizen Center all bearing his name.

     During his political life, he was proud to have served as a 1968 Delegate to the US Democratic convention as well as the opportunity to meet and work with many influential people such as Robert Kennedy, John Glenn, Herbert Humphrey, Jimmy Carter, Governor Dick Celeste, and many others.

     He retired from public service and became the “Chief Cook and Bottle washer” while providing snacks for happy hour at Pizzi Café.  He continued to oversee the restaurant’s success and growth for many years.  Throughout his retirement he continued to support the local community and he was (according to Sally) a member of “every club in town”.

     Upon his retirement he and Sally became well -known travelers to Laughlin, Nevada, Palm Springs California and Long Beach California for many years.  He had the uncanny ability, as a connoisseur of fine dining, of finding the best restaurants in every state he passed through!  He will be me missed at some of his favorite establishments such as Melvin’s, The Gourmet Room, Salt Grass Steakhouse, The Colony, Leo’s, and many others.  He will also be missed by his many friends at The Moose Lodge.

     He is survived by His wife, Veronica “Sally” Griswold, his children Mary (Ron) Westfall of Long Beach, California, Edward Jr. (Mary Plosila), Jean (Rick) McLaughlin, and daughter-in-law Dawn (Griffey) Griswold, all of Conneaut, his grandchildren Andrew and Matthew Westfall, Hayley (Riley) Kreisher, Marla Griswold, Alexa (Billy) Pitcher, and Blaine McLaughlin; his great grandchildren Mia and Emma Pitcher, and Liam and Jace Kreisher.  He is also survived by his siblings, John Griswold, Sister Carole Anne Griswold, Mary Lou (Alberto) Ricaurte and sister-in-law Patricia Griswold.  He is also survived by many loved nieces and nephews.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Charles Griswold, sister-in-law Marcia Griswold and his son Patrick Griswold.

     Due to Covid-19, there will be no calling hours or services at this time.  In lieu of flowers or donations he would want you to tip your servers well.  So, everyone who knew Ed, please raise your glass to “The Mayor”. 

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