Gerry Griffiths 1944-2024

Gerry was born in Liverpool into a family of modest means.  He won a scholarship to Birkenhead School before winning a place to read Geography at Fitzwilliam.

Often known as Jay, Gerry was one of the pioneers of the spirit of the “new” Fitzwilliam College. In the early/mid 60’s students began inhabiting the new buildings and Fitzwilliam House was accorded College status. By 1965/66 only half a dozen staircases were occupied at the Huntingdon Road end of the college. The occupants were expected to act as hosts to the college as they visited for various activities and Gerry duly obliged with grace and good humour.  As one of the best known and best liked students of his era he demonstrated the importance of the college having a heart as well as a brain. His contribution to Geography academia could be described as limited but he will be remembered by those of us lucky enough to share his camaraderie, as one who breathed life and joy into the college at an important stage of its development. Had there been degrees in charisma Gerry would have got a first and a PhD!  To this day I’m told Fitzbilly is known for its caring and inclusiveness and it was people like Gerry who set the tone. Gerry was secretary and subsequently captain of a very successful college Rugby team that won the league and reached the Cuppers final. In doing so he helped to raise Fitzwilliam’s profile as a full scale college.

On leaving Billy Gerry joined Marks and Spencer where he began working on the men’s socks counter in his native Liverpool. Having narrowly escaped the sack through befriending customers at the nearby lingerie counter he progressed by stages to the Executive Management Team. On the way up he headed departments ranging from personnel to PR and from transport to retail store management. In each role he brought he inspired his reports with his unique blend of care and good humour. At M&S he also met and married his beloved Margaret who was conveniently PA to the vice chairman. After thirty years’ service and having reached his ceiling in a family dominated organisation he left M&S and founded and ran a successful substantial mannequin business until being scuppered by a bad debt.

Both during and after his career Gerry was involved in numerous charitable activities.  He ran a youth group; was a principal contributor and organiser of a theatrical group for the disabled; and served as a governor of a hospital trust.

Sadly Gerry suffered from a succession of health problems in his later years but he endured these stoically and would constantly recite “Tomorrow will be a better day.”

Gerry was a devoted family man: caring husband, loving father to his son and daughter and proud grandfather to his 4 grandchildren.  He had countless friends.  More than 150 people attended Gerry’s end of life celebration on 30^th May, testament to a truly lovable man.