William E. Griffin, a founder of Hudson Valley Bank and the longest serving chairman of the board died Sept. 1 at age 79 after a long illness.
Griffin retired as chairman in May after 22 years but stayed on as a member of the board.
“He was a remarkable man and an extraordinary leader, who guided the bank”™s impressive growth and success over the past 40 years,” said James J. Landy, the former president and CEO who succeeded Griffin as chairman. “He leaves an indelible legacy and will be missed by the entire Hudson Valley family and the community.”
Under his chairmanship starting in 1990, the Yonkers-based bank grew from a $400 million company with 10 branches to a more than $2.8 billion financial institution, according to a statement by the bank. Today it has 36 branches throughout Westchester, Rockland, New York City and Connecticut.
An attorney, Griffin was founder and president of the law firm, Griffin, Coogan, Blose and Sulzer in Bronxville. He was one of 10 businessmen who founded Hudson Valley Bank in Yonkers in 1972.
“Through his vision, inspiration and hands-on leadership, he was truly the backbone of the bank as it grew from merely an idea to a major financial institution,” said Stephen R. Brown, current president and CEO. “As a result, we are well poised to build on the solid foundation he created, while looking ahead to assure the continued success of the bank he founded.”
From 1960 to 1963, Griffin served as research counsel to New York Lt. Gov. Malcolm Wilson. He was a member of the Westchester County Board of Supervisors from 1963 through 1965.
He was a member of the President’s Council for the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace Foundation. He was President of the Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation and a member of the Development Committee of St. Joseph”™s Seminary in Yonkers. He served as a director of many charitable organizations, including Northern Ireland Children’s Enterprise (NICE), the Monsignor Robert Fox Memorial Shelter for battered women and the Hudson Valley National Foundation.
In addition to his wife, Margaret, he is survived by three children, Colleen, Daniel and Katherine; his brother Gary Griffin; sister, Arlene Meyer, and nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
