Surnames: Griffin, Kiley, Strieth, McGavick, Mundelin, Brockman

----Source: Abbotsford Tribune (Abbotsford, Clark County, Wis.) 03/23/1944

Griffin, William Andrew (1881 - 18 Mar. 1944)

The Rt. Reverend William Andrew Griffin, auxiliary bishop of the La Crosse diocese of the Catholic church, died Saturday night, at the age of 63 years. A solemn Pontificial High Mass was sung by Archbishop Moses E. Kiley, of Milwaukee, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, La Crosse, Thursday morning.

The body was then taken to Chicago where services will be repeated Saturday morning at Holy Name Cathedral with Archbishop Samuel A. Strieth, officiating. Internment will be made in Calvary cemetery, Chicago.

Bishop Griffin was born in Chicago in 1881. He was ordained a priest in 1907 in Chicago. For 16 years he was assistant to Bishop Alexander J. McGavick while the latter was auxiliary bishop in Chicago.

In 1926 he was accorded papal recognition and the title of very reverend monsignor. In 1931 he was elevated to the rank of right reverend monsignor and on May 1, 1935 he was consecrated a bishop by Cardinal Mundelin. Later that month he was assigned to La Crosse as auxiliary bishop to Bishop McGavick.

It was in this capacity that he was known and honored by the clergy and laity of this diocese. Bishop Griffin was in Abbotsford Aug. 21, 1940 to administer confirmation in St. Bernard’s Catholic church.

He is survived by one sister, Theresa Griffin, of Chicago.

Bishop Griffin was originator and director of the Catholic Youth Organization in the La Crosse diocese. Until the last year, when his health failed, Bishop Griffin high lighted the meetings for the Marshfield deanery of the Council of Catholic Women with his dynamic and inspiring programs which he presented in person.

Rev. Francis Brockman, pastor of St. Bernard’s Catholic church, left to attend the funeral services at La Crosse, Thursday morning.