When one of our family members is taken, out of respect for the family, we feel it is only right to wait until the obituary is out, and we have spoken directly with the family to post the news.

It has definitely been a very tough and sad past six months with several of our BRS Family leaving us.

Now that the obituary is out and Cathy and family have had some time to process, it is with profound shock and sadness that we inform you of the sudden passing of our very very dear friend and our “Mr. VIP” Ernie Griffin. Ernie and Cathy have been a part of the Bear Ridge Family for over 20 years, and the void will be huge. Following is his obituary. Our deepest condolences go out to Cathy and family. Ernie, we can’t express how much you will be truly missed. NEW HAMPTON —- Ernest Charles Griffin, 72, of Mansfield Woods Way, passed away at his home peacefully with his wife by his side, on Sunday evening, February 19, 2023. Ernest was born on March 13, 1950, in Claremont, the son of August and Edith (Williams) Griffin. He was a people person who would do anything for anyone at any time. Ernest was a father and a husband that was more than anyone could ask for. He did anything and everything for his family and friends. Ernest loved his small projects and painting. Christmas was his favorite time of year. He was an industrial sewing machine mechanic his entire life. For two decades, Bear Ridge Speedway was his sanctuary. He lived for Saturday nights. Known as Mr. VIP, he took great pride in making sure everyone had a great experience in their VIP suites. He loved racing. Ernest considered the people at Bear Ridge Speedway as his extended family. Ernest is survived by his wife of 32 years, Cathy (Stone) Griffin, his children, Robert Griffin and his wife Kimberly, Shelly Dole and her boyfriend Chris Fortugno, Elyse Young and her boyfriend Craig Wheeler, Sarah Allen and her husband Matthew, and Dustin Fortin and his wife Donna, his grandchildren, Bryant Dole and his girlfriend Brittney Stevens, Joshua Griffin and his girlfriend Haley Tremaine, Haley Boyer, Steve Young III, Gwenyth Allen, Logan Allen, Emily Fortin, and Lucas Fortin, his great-grandson Grayson Dole, his three brothers and sisters, Charlene Locke, Donna Abbott, George Griffin, Gary Griffin, his brothers-in-laws, Ron Stone, and Gary Stone, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ernest is predeceased by his brother Larry Griffin and his sisters Beverly Downing and Donna Abbott. Rest in peace our father, husband, brother, grandfather. Please come and help us celebrate Ernie Griffin, on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 1:00pm, at the Moose Lodge, 18 Golf Club Road, Newport, NH 03773. Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services and 603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.