When Bishop Guertin alumni get together and reminisce about their high school years, sports is often the ice-breaking topic of most conversations. It seems we can never forget those gifted athletes who sacrificed their bodies (and unfortunately sometimes grades) just to bring back the thrill of a state championship and another plaque for the ever-growing trophy case. What we sometimes fail to remember, however, are the students who weathered the cold, rain, and snow to bravely cheer on these Cardinal athletes. They are truly what school spirit is all about. Chris Griffin (Class of ’79) was the consummate Guertin fan. He was a student you could always rely on seeing in the stands at sporting events.
It was in September 1986, that Chris died in a tragic auto accident. BG lost more than a fan, but a person who quietly accumulated more friends in four years at Guertin than most do in a lifetime. He was the soft-spoken, unassuming blond-haired kid who would sit in the back of the classroom and tend to his own business. He was a hard-working student but very rarely raised a hand to answer a teacher’s question. That was his nature. He simply let his grades do the talking.
“There is no denying that during his years at BG Chris was a shy student,” said one close classmate. “But I immediately recognized him as a person who could be trusted. On those days when nothing seemed to be going right, Chris would come out with some funny one-liner to make you realize things weren’t so bad after all.”
“Chris certainly had plenty of friends,” said another classmate. “It’s funny, he didn’t say a lot, but you knew he was listening to what you had to say. And I’d always see him at football and basketball games cheering for his friends. How could you not like him?”
Chris, who lived in Merrimack, also took part in six intramural sports, including ice hockey, volleyball, tennis, and basketball. Athletics played an important role in his life, whether competing for himself or actively supporting the school.
Yes, they say only the good die young, and in Chris’ case, this holds true. Your classmates will never forget what you gave to Guertin, Chris. Never.
Ken Beaulieu ‘79
Reprinted with updates from Alumni News Winter 1987
