Wayne Paul Griffin, 71, of Salem, NH, passed away on Monday night, March 14 ^th , 2022, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on October 25, 1950 to Mildred (Gagnon) and John Griffin. Wayne grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts and attended the Arlington Public Schools. In his last year of high school, he was introduced to the sister of his classmate John Forrest, Maryellen. The two were married at a Mass at St. Agnes Church in July 1974.

Wayne pursued a career in electrical engineering and graduated for Lowell Technological Institute, now the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, with honors in 1974. Wayne continued his studies and received a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1975, followed by a Masters Degree in Computer Science in 1977.

Wayne began his business career in the research and development of medical devices, which has resulted in his being awarded ten United States Patents for various inventions related to medical products. Wayne has held senior level technology and management positions at both large companies, such as Medtronic, Inc. and small start-up companies. For six years, he held the position of Vice President of Research and Development for Cardiac Assist Technologies in Pittsburgh, PA where his design team developed left ventricular assist devices for people with failing hearts. In the year 2000, he moved to Salem, NH, where he headed that Electronics Development Group for the Abiomed AbioCor Artificial Heart.

Wayne decided to start his own company in the year 2000 and for the past seventeen years has worked as a medical device regulatory consultant and a subcontract auditor for TUV Product Service and the National Standards Authority of Ireland for ISO and CE Marking under the medical device and active implantable medical device directives.

After moving to Salem, NH Wayne became a parishioner at St. Matthews Parish in Windham, NH and in October of that year he joined the Knights of the Columbus as a member of Council #7572.

Wayne became a very active member of the Knights and held many titles throughout is long service history beginning with his appointment to State Family Director.   From there, he would go to be elected Grand Knight of Council #7572, followed by being appointed District Deputy then District Marshal of the Fourth Degree for the Bishop Healy Province of the District of New Hampshire.  In 2009, Wayne was elected State Warden which was followed by elections to State Treasurer and State Secretary and culminated with his election to State Deputy in 2014.

During his time with the Knights, Wayne became very involved with the Special Olympics of New Hampshire.   Following his time as State Deputy, Wayne continued his work with the Special Olympics and joined their Board of Directors as the Chair of Development.  He attended many events each year with Special Olympics including the yearly Polar Plunge, an event he has continued to participate in remotely the past few years.   Wayne was also very active with Care Net New Hampshire, having joined their Board of Directors over the past few years as well.

He is survived by his loving wife, Maryellen Griffin of Salem, NH; his daughters, Kathleen Barrett and her husband Jay, of Salem, NH and Christine Freitas and her husband Paul of FL; and his granddaughters, Callie Barrett, Emma Barrett, Brooke Barrett, and Ava Freitas.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday evening, 4pm to 7pm at the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, NH 03087. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday morning at 10am at St. Matthew's Parish, 2 Searles Road, Windham, NH. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Salem, NH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics New Hampshire, PO Box 3598, Concord, NH 03302.

Arrangements are in the care of the Carrier Family Funeral Home. For directions or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.carrierfuneralhome.com.