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Michael Hammerschlag posted a condolence
Thursday, October 24, 2024
I sold an '89 airplane ticket in Seattle to Maurice's buddy Jimmy, and I was long planning a long trip to Soviet Union (was a FP commentary journo), Greece, Germany et al and when I found Maurice had been there, I started dozens of hours of phone raps with the ex-coal miner hippy. We became fast friends & he may have saved my life, sanity, or trip by hooking me up w Andre, a Russian banjo player on his ferry from St Petersburg to Helsinki. When I finally made it Nov 91, 2 years later, the disintegrating SU was a wild & lawless place, 5 weeks later I would get kidnapped by Mafiya guys in Petersburg & almost executed in the woods. Andre put me up at his mother Galena's place in Moscow, a fearsome producty babooshka who would, cook at 1am when I got home, wash & always scream at 110 db 6" from your face. All this for $5/day, which then was equiv to $500!!
8 months later I was in the (East, but they'd reunified) Berlin train station trying to discover & like zee faterland, and I pontificated to this guy how go to Poland... take a German train only to the border, cross over, and buy a Polish ticket to Warsaw, 10-20x less than a Deutsche ticket all the way. The guy looked at me stangely, and said...
"Are you Mike?" and I reeled with shock & amazement, for a year NOBODY knew who I was, anywhere, I was a Stranger in a Strange Land. With a stunned beat to recover, I said "Are you Maurice?" Neither of us had ever seen each other, even pictures, this was before Internet, but we both instantly recognized each other- we'd rapped maybe 40 hours by then. Then agonizingly, he had to catch a train I didnt even have 5 minutes! We stayed in touch though when I went back to new Russia for 1 1 /2 years, Seattle, Hawaii, DC to save Clinton, & home to RI for my ailing mother. I remain forever sorry I never made it to his famous blowout parties.. moral is, if someone is good people, take the time + energy to HANG OUT!!
Michael Hammerschlag
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Victoria Shepherd posted a condolence
Thursday, June 13, 2019
I met dear, dear Maurice when I also studied Theatre at WVU in Morgantown. Those were wonderful years!! Maurice was very important to everyone lucky enough to ever spend time with him. Today as I read his Obituary I learned so much more about his very rich life. I am happy to know that he is still with loved ones in West Virginia.
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Doug and Yvonne Stewart posted a condolence
Monday, June 10, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Maurice. He was a very unique and nice person. He will be missed! Doug and Yvonne Stewart
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Phillip Levy posted a condolence
Sunday, June 9, 2019
I wish to express my sorrow for the loss of Maurice and condolences to family. I first met Maurice in 1968 and in the last ten or so years had the opportunity to visit him in Lantz where his home reflected the individual he always was.
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Chelsea Anderson-Statton posted a condolence
Friday, June 7, 2019
I will remember your free spirited personatliy, and your kindness. You always told me how beautiful I was and how I looked like my mom each time we seen one another in town. My Grammy used to take me to your beautiful home, and i remember the laughs we all had. She and my aunt Becky thought highly of you. Rest peacefully, dear.
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Connie Everett posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Prayers and positive thoughts during the Family’s time of mourning.May the Lord comfort you in your time of need...with warmest regards, Dean and Connie Everett
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Dennis Berry posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Our condolences to Maurice's family, to Mary, Patricia, Carolyn, Priscilla and to Paul Avington and to all the many friends, a motley bunch who will miss Maurice sorely, knowing there won't again be another man cast from that particular mold. ALL will have enough memories and funny stories, from or about Maurice, to last our lifetime. He was always a Hunter S. Thompson reader and fan, so I'll close with a particularly appropriate H S. Thompson quote on his philosophy of life and lifestyle.. “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”. What a ride, what a ride...Maurice. We love you and will miss you.
Dennis and DeAnn
(Having had my own brush with death last October in a work accident, I am still in physical therapy and not yet driving. I've been searching for a driver for the last few days. What ever happened to that motley crew, "between jobs", who would be willing to drop everything and take a spur-of-the-moment excursion to West Virginia? I still hope to make it, but if not... it's not for lack of love for you ALL.)
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Patricia Booth Higham posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
I am so sad to hear this news. He was a one of a kind fellow. Always ready for a chat and loved taking pictures. He was a part of my life growing up on the Middle Fork River. I am sorry I will not be able to be there with his family during this difficult time. Just know he will always be remembered with fondness. Rest Easy Morris! I know you are walking the streets of gold instead of along the river. Trisha, Ray, Danny, & Phillip
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Dorothy Valdez posted a condolence
Monday, June 3, 2019
I am very sorry to hear Maurice has left us. He was such an interesting individual and fought some very hard battles. He lived his life the way he wanted to and usually had a smile for everyone. RIP Maurice. My deepest sympathy to the whole family.
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Marijo Cohn(Walton) posted a condolence
Monday, June 3, 2019
I am very saddened to hear of Maurice's passing.
I have known him for many years and have thought of him often.
Since I have moved back to Buckhannon, I did not know where he was and now I am to late.
Rest in peace my friend
You will be missed
My heart and love goes out to the family...
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Frank Kopriver posted a condolence
Monday, June 3, 2019
What a good guy ;-)
Great OBIT may attempt to sum up his life, but it does not tell the whole story...
His IMPACT on many people was significant at helping them attain personal growth and professional development = worth more than money ! He will be missed !
He learned many of those skills from his Mother. another WV Hall of Fame person ;-)
The Polecat Crew is sad, yet happy that his pain is over... he fought a tough fight !
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Bobbi Cox Curran posted a condolence
Monday, June 3, 2019
To the family:
I am so sorry to hear of Maurice's death. I know my mom, Ruby, thought of your whole family as an extension of her own. Praying that all are doing well.
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Cheri Ellis Green posted a condolence
Monday, June 3, 2019
To the family, I am so sorry for your loss! Thinking of you in prayer. With deepest sympathy, Cheri
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Mike & Jenny Higham posted a condolence
Sunday, June 2, 2019
To the Family,
Our deepest and sincerest condolences. We met Maurice over almost 40 years ago, and always felt richer for it. His jovial personality, his "joie de vivre" was a constant source of wonder in view of his physical maladies. His strength was something of a marvel to behold. We were glad to have him pop in and out of our lives all this time, and will miss him dearly. So glad, Mike got a chance to visit at his home one more time before the end. So glad, I could give him a chuckle through correspondence. Our hearts go out to you all; he will be sorely missed. But in the end, despite the sorrow of loss, he leaves us smiling for having known him and being counted as "friends." God Bless you all. R.I.P. Maurice; you were loved.
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Beth Almond Ford posted a condolence
Sunday, June 2, 2019
One of my finest friends....from the days of Miss Bess to late night poker games to hikes in the woods to times at the River to lots of letters these past years.... a most amazing and caring person. Hugs and love to all.
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Bobbie Shock posted a condolence
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Oh how you will be missed. Such an amazing soul and giving person. May you rest in peace, my friend!!
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Jim & Dot Sweatt posted a condolence
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Priscilla;
We are so sorry to hear of Maurice's passing. We only met him a couple of times when he came to North Carolina with you.You will miss him greatly, since you always kept us up to date on what was going on with him.
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Kimberly Westfall Hollen posted a condolence
Sunday, June 2, 2019
My entire life I had 3 non-uncles, Maurice (Morris), Tony and Snag. My father's best friends. Not brothers by blood, but by choice. All are gone and my heart and soul are sad. Rest well Uncle Morris, tell Daddy I miss him!
Prayers for peace for all of the family.
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Joetta posted a condolence
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Pricilla,I am so sorry to hear of Maurice's passing. We became friends when he came into the hospital. We would talk about his travels. R.I.P Maurice you will be missed.
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The family of Maurice Michael Griffin, III uploaded a photo
Sunday, June 2, 2019
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