Griffiths died this month after a long battle with heart disease. Following are tributes by some of those who knew him and below, a copy of an obituary read at his memorial service last week. Jerry Griffiths, an adventurer known affectionately by family and friends as `Kimball' (from The Fugitive , was born on January 9, 1949. He was the fourth of nine children born to Shirley Griffiths Marchitto, who died in July, 1971. Jerry grew up in St. David's and, as he tells it, attended `St. David's University' where he obtained "all the knowledge he needed to face the world''. Jerry was well-read and liked to immerse himself in his writing. He wrote a column in the Mid-Ocean News entitled, `Back from the brink'. On April 7, 1971, Jerry married Dee. They have one son, Christopher Dean, who was born on August 31, 1983. Jerry was a wonderful husband and father who spent a great deal of quality time with Chris. Before getting into the field of substance abuse counselling, Jerry lived a colourful and adventurous life. He travelled extensively, visiting the United States, Canada, Africa, South America and Singapore (where he visited his sister Patsy in 1993). In the 1970s, he delivered boats throughout the Caribbean. He later worked as a mate on the Biological Station's Panulirus , as a construction worker, as an insurance salesman for British American, and as a blaster at Bierman's. In February 1988, Jerry went into treatment for alcoholism at Montrose Substance Abuse Centre. From that point on, Jerry's life changed. In September 1992, Jerry and Sandy Butterfield formed FOCUS Counselling Services (a charitable organisation which gives people addicted to alcohol or drugs the tools to understand their illness and move towards good health). Initially, they worked out of the Emergency Housing Complex at the Salvation Army. Both partners worked diligently to build Focus, which is now a member agency of The Council Partners Charitable Trust. Focus is currently located in the Metropolitan Building on Union Street. Jerry was extremely proud to see Focus grow and attain its goals. During his fourteen-month illness, he continued to be very much involved in the decision making at Focus. Jerry also gave encouragement to clients over the telephone. On August 16, 1996, Jerry suffered his second heart attach. On November 8, 1996, he flew to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for assessment (he was being considered for a heart transplant). On September 8, 1997, Jerry received his new heart.

Twenty-six days after being released from hospital, he suffered a seizure.

Jerry `Kimball' transcended to a better life on October 14, 1997. He leaves to celebrate his life: his wife Dee, and son Christopher, brothers Terry Griffiths of Bermuda and Mike Marchitto of Maryland; sisters Norma Welsh of Canada, Patsy Gillen of Texas, Teresa Heath of Florida and Rose Stacy of Washington; sisters-in-law Gail Griffiths, Kathy Marchitto and Yvonne Bertzfelder; brothers-in-law Don Welsh, Paul Gillen , Mike Heath, Mike Stacy and Edward Bertzfelder; nieces Dawn, Terri Lynn, Jamie, Tracy, Alana, Bali, Melissa and Alisha; nephews Justin, Jim, Jason and Andre; special friend Sandy Butterfield; FOCUS clients; and numerous other close friends and acquaintances. PHOTO Co-founder of FOCUS Counselling Services and Mid-Ocean news columnist, Jerry Griffiths A Tribute to Jerry Griffiths from co-founder of FOCUS, Sandy Butterfield as was read at his memorial service last week.

When I came to you for friendship, you gave it. When I came to you for help, you opened up your heart. You helped me see the brighter side of problems, On rainy days you made the sunshine start. When I came to you for gentle understanding, You listened without judging what you heard. You gave me your constant reassurance And heard far more than just the spoken word. When I came to you to share my little triumphs, You seemed to feel a joy to match my own, Your friendship was a constant inspiration, One of the dearest joys my heart has ever known. DRUGS SUPPLEMENT DGS