Gary Hamilton Griffiths

Gary Hamilton Griffiths died at the age of 75 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born to Norman and Jean (Berg) Griffiths on November 28, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1973, where he earned his BA. He went on to join the Coast Guard, where he served as a marine inspector and served aboard icebreakers from the Antarctic to the Arctic. After leaving the service, he worked as a merchant mariner, taking part in the Vietnam sealift. He attended Diablo Valley College for land surveying where, “I met my wonderful wife” in 1984. He followed Vicki to Sacramento, where he worked in land surveying for a few years until they were married in 1989 and relocated to Bellingham, WA. After a few more years of land surveying, he returned to the sea as an able-bodied seaman aboard Polar Tankers, ferrying oil from Alaska to various ports along the West Coast for 10 years.

He enjoyed travelling with his wife, especially trips to New York to see the Metropolitan Opera, and to Nova Scotia to research where both families came to the Americas. He greatly enjoyed spending time in the outdoors including getting snowed in at Donner Pass and travelling to Mt. Rushmore, as well as enjoying many hiking tours around the United States. He enjoyed being by Vicki’s side as she competed in several ultramarathons, often participating by walking as many miles as he could.

He was a regular at the Bellingham Highland Games, where he was in charge of the piping and drumming. He was also a member of the Bellingham Pipe Band, performing at WWU commencement ceremonies as well as countless parades and events.

He enjoyed daily walks with Vicki and, as often as possible, with his granddaughters who he happily helped raise since infancy. What little free time he had, he spent reading history and building historical models.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki; her children; Michele and Greg,; grandchildren, Michael, Daniel, Andrew, Madalyn, and Eleanor; great-grandchildren, Holden, Adeline, and Regan (due December 5th); sister Susan; brother-in-law, Jeff; nephew, Jon, his wife Kim, and their daughter Miriam; and his niece, Kate.

There will be a celebration of life at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, at the Bellingham Yacht Club (2625 S Harbor Loop Dr.).