Lewis J. Griffith

Lewis J. Griffith, 76, of Superior, formerly of Ashland, Wis., died Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at Villa Marina Health & Rehabilitation, Superior. He was born Feb. 4, 1934, in Ashland the son of Lewis & Agnes (Kontny) Griffith.

Lewis graduated from Ashland High School in 1951, where he loved sports and played baseball and football. He was an accomplished piano player as well and won a number of awards including the Wisconsin state piano competition in 1950. Lewis attended Northland College where he participated in football. Lewis received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin- Superior in 1986. Lewis was in the U.S. Navy and a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corp., Alpha Company, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Battalion from 1953 to 1955. He served under Lewis “Chesty” Puller as a field combat medical technician and was a recipient of the Nation Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal. Lewis was a member of the Gogebic-Iron Counties Marine Detachment No. 1133 and the Ashland American Legion Post No. 90. On Nov. 3, 1956, he married Doris I. Hultman in Ashland.

He was city clerk and city recreation director for the City of Ashland, and worked at Garnish Hardware Store, and owned some family businesses. His passion was sports, and he coached American Legion, Babe Ruth, and Little League Baseball. He also coached at DePadua High School and St. Agnes school for a number of years. He was an assistant basketball coach at both Northland College and the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Lewis also had been a mentor to Arnold Schwarzenegger while at UW-Superior. Lewis then went on to become a head basketball coach for the Scottish Premier Professional Basketball Association from 1983-1985. Throughout his coaching career, Lewis coached and mentored a number of players, who became professional athletes. He coached basketball at Maranatha Christian Academy in Superior.

Lewis was head basketball coach for Wisconsin Select Basketball, a National AAU power for student athletes ages 14-18, where he coached with his son Jake; their team won the World Basketball Tournament in Milwaukee in 1996.

His continued love of sports, led him to play in the Ashland Touch Football League for Pralle’s Packers Pub and was a WIAA sports referee in basketball, baseball, football and softball for many years. He will be remembered as a coach, mentor and sharer of his life lessons to many young people over the years.

Besides sports and piano playing, his hobbies included watch collecting, trout fishing and hydro-boat racing.

Lewis is survived by his wife, Doris Griffith of Superior; four children, Debra (Al “Wolfie” Retzlaff) Byrnes of Ashland, Jeff “Jake” (Tina Furuglyas) Griffith of Neenah, Wis., Shari (Rick Rieckmann) Lennon of New London, Wis.; and Wendy Griffith of Superior; six grandchildren, Heather, Jake, Lauren, Dante, Josh and Camden; three great-grandchildren, Alex, Keeley & Kiara; mother, Agnes Griffith of Ashland; sister-in-law, Jeanne Hultman; and nieces, Cindy, Lori and Patti.

He was preceded in death by his father; brother-in-law, Harry Hultman and sister-in-law, Marjorie Hultman.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 20 at Frost Home for Funerals in Ashland. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service at the funeral home. A graveside service and inurnment will take place in the St. Agnes Cemetery in Ashland at a later date.

Tags: obituaries