40-plus years of volunteering

WINSTED — Porter "Skip" Griffin has been a fixture in town politics and community service venues for decades, serving in positions ranging from selectman to deputy fire chief.

Born and raised in Winchester, Griffin, now 64, has been volunteering since 1965, when he joined the Winsted Fire Department Engine 2. Following in his father’s footsteps, who served as fire chief from 1965 to 1977, Griffin has served a total of 23 years in the Winsted Fire Department.

"I looked at my dad as someone to emulate. He was a terrific guy and highly respected in the community. If people think that I am half as good as he was, I am very proud," said Griffin.

In 1983 Griffin decided he needed a break from the fire department and temporarily retired, having reached the rank of captain. It was at this time he became heavily involved in politics.

In the 1980s, Griffin served on several committees, including Planning and Zoning and Economic Development, which he chaired for five years.

He also married his wife, Joyce, and together they raised four daughters. They now have five grandchildren, ages 2 to 16.

Griffin also served two years on the Board of Selectman and is not afraid to say, "It almost killed me." While many have speculated in recent years that Griffin is planning to run for selectman again, he is quick to shoot down the rumor.

"My wife told me she’d divorce me if I did. It’s a thankless job," said Griffin.

In 1997 Griffin was appointed to the first Civil Service Commission, a position he still maintains. He is currently the president of the commission and the only original member.

Shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, Griffin decided it was time to become involved with the fire department once again. In 2004 he ran for deputy chief, a position he will hold until September, and says he has no plans of running again or serving as chief of the department.

"I lived with a chief for 12 years. I know what they put up with and it’s more work today," said Griffin.

"Of all the things I have done, I still think being a firefighter is the most rewarding," said Griffin. "I think that it’s the ultimate that you can give to your community and now even more so...America truly learned to appreciate firefighters after 9/11. It’s acknowledged more when you do something for your community than when I first became a firefighter," said Griffin.

Aside from his volunteer work, Griffin and his brother, Roger, own and operate a plumbing and heating business begun by their grandfather in 1937.

While they used to manage large industrial and commercial accounts, Griffin said they have scaled back to primarily residential jobs.

And while much of his life has been a rollercoaster ride working in the turbulent world of Winsted politics, Griffin said the one constant in his life over the past 36 years has been his friend, Gary Oppelman.

Griffin met Oppelman in 1972 at an open house hosted by the fire department. As a resident in a group home close to the center fire house, Oppelman knows many of the firefighters. He can be seen there just about every day of the week.

"Gary walked up to me and shook my hand and we’ve been friends ever since," said Griffin. Oppelman is almost a second shadow for Griffin, accompanying him on most job sites and at the firehouse.

In recent years, Griffin says he has been enjoying the time he spends camping with his wife and has made an attempt to learn golf.

"I hesitate to say that I play golf. I follow a little white ball around and I wack at it," said Griffin.