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David Griffin

September 19, 2016
Bay Harbor, MI

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David Robert Giffin, 71, passed away suddenly at his home in Bay Harbor Michigan on Monday, September 19, 2016. David was born on September 25, 1944 in Wheeling, West Virginia, the first son of Daniel A. and Barbara E. Giffin. David grew up in Bridgeport, Ohio, and graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1961, then attended General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan. As a graduate of GMI, David began his professional career as an engineer at General Motors Packard Electric Division in Warren, Ohio. In 1969, David made a career change and entered the investment securities business as a registered representative. This move ultimately led to the 1981 opening of Giffin Financial Planning Services and Giffin Financial Group in 1989 located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 2006 he formed DRG Investment Advisory Services, LLC a SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm. Dave is sole owner of Hilltop Village, a retirement community in Euclid, Ohio; Giffin Mortgage Company, Inc., and Giffin Management Group, Inc. In addition to his businesses, David was an accomplished pianist and organist. While still in high school he was serving as a church organist, and he loved playing informally for gatherings of friends and family that often turned into very fun "sing alongs". David also enjoyed being on or near the water and was an avid boater which led him to owning and operating Grand Isle Marina, Grand Haven, Michigan for 24 years. By appointment of Governor John Engler, David became a commissioner of the Michigan State Waterways Commission, where he served for nine years from 1996-2005 and as chairman for six years. Among the accomplishments during his tenure were new marinas at Mackinac Island, St. Ignace and Traverse City. As a member of the Bay Harbor Yacht Club, David worked with many dedicated and generous people to build the most recent addition to the club, known as The Lange Center. David also served on the Bay Harbor Yacht Club Board of Directors and was Chairman of the Finance Committee. David was influential in the startup of Northpointe Bank in Grand Rapids Michigan where he served on the Board, and chairman for many years. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Belmont Bancorp for five years in Saint Clairsville, Ohio until the bank was sold. David is survived by his beloved wife Diane, whom he married October 18, 1985 daughter Allison and her husband Dennis, daughter Gayle and her husband Brian, son Ryan and his wife Lauren, daughter Emiley, grandchildren Savannah, Lindsey, Lexi, Taylor, Timothy, Bennett & Cameron, Allison & Gayle's mother Trudi Giffin, and younger brother Dale. He is preceded in death by his parents Daniel in 2007, Barbara in 2016, and brother Donald in 1966. A memorial service in thanksgiving for David's life will be held at 2:00 pm. on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at the Bay Harbor Yacht Club in Bay Harbor, Michigan. He was a dedicated and avid supporter of Christ Child Society of Northern Michigan. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to P.O. Box 132, Harbor Springs, MI 49740. Stone Funeral Home, Inc. - Petoskey, MI (231) 347-2291