Mark Griffin -- Not Long to Live

Here's the thread in the Billiard News Forum, which I didn't even know existed. It's listed at the bottom of the article.

Mark Griffin Looks Back on a Legacy in Pool

Over his sixty plus years in the Billiards Industry, Mark Griffin has outran a lot of things. He underwent a double lung transplant in 2015. A year later, Griffin started having issues with his retina and lost the use of his right eye. From what Griffin’s doctors tell him, he may have finally...
forums.azbilliards.com
 
AtLarge said:
Sorry, I didn't see that. Well, perhaps more people will see it with two threads.
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Appreciate your posting it here A.L. I would have missed it otherwise.

I've had some great conversations and dealings with Mark over the years. Always a straight shooter both on and off the table, you always knew where you stood with him.

He's certainly been through a lot health wise. So sorry to learn of this latest one.

Thank you for all that you've done to advance our sport.

best,
brian kc
 
I had a long talk with Mark about a week before the Mosconi Cup and he was doing OK at that time, considering. He had already had some treatment. I hope there hasn't been a relapse.
 
This is just awful……my mom passed away from lung cancer that metastasized
and ultimately she fell to brain cancer. This news is awful to learn about. Too many
people that have achieved fame in the annals of pool are no longer with us and
their successors have yet to be recognized. Mark grew into a Sequoia Tree in a
forest of small trees and bushes. He towered over his peers and God Bless Him.
 
Bob Jewett said:
I had a long talk with Mark about a week before the Mosconi Cup and he was doing OK at that time, considering. He had already had some treatment. I hope there hasn't been a relapse.
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I wish I made some videos of my conversations with friends that knew the end was approaching.
How can we continue to overlook the importance of remaining in closer contact with loved ones
and dearest friends because of day to day distractions? It takes something like this to shake us
and realize every day is precious and don’t procrastinate on even the little things involving others.
 
I’ve been friends with Mark for a long time. He’s done a tremendous amount in the pool world. His accomplishments and contributions are damn near unmatched.

What hasn’t he done? His room in Vegas is the best room in the last 30 years there and has the most action I’ve seen in Vegas ever.

The leagues, tourney Promoter, his cue collection was amazing, rooms in Alaska, on & on. Sure he was a biz man making money in pool, but he gave as much as he took. End of the day he has been a huge asset to pool.

I wasn’t aware of his condition until today. I haven’t spoke to him in 5-6 months. Last phone conversation was 90 minutes long about a year ago. Funny thing-I have his phone number memorized. 702 is vegas so that easy the next 3 digits were the only 3 digits in the small town I grew up in. So those are forever in my brain and the last 4 are simple. So I don’t have Mark on “speed dial” I just know his number by heart the last 15 years.

When we first met he asked if he could come see my house when he got to Vegas. So that’s where we met and have been good ever since. He’s a brilliant biz man, sure he has his haters-all successful people do. He earned them, 💪💪 Has my respect.

I hope he’s comfortable. I lost another friend to stage 4 brain cancer. He lived longer than expected and was comfortable. I wish the same for Mark🙏🏼🙏🏼

Fatboy
 
People can be divided into three groups: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. Mark made things happen his entire life. To accomplish what he's achieved in life, even when he was so very ill, is remarkable. He is one of pool's greatest pioneers and continues to give it his all. Prayers to Mark and his loved ones during this challenging time.

Photo of Greg Sullivan and Mark Griffin at the Venetian in Las Vegas in 2006.

Greg Sullivan and Mark Griffin in Vegas at Venetian.JPG
 
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I was a regular at The Anchorage Billiard Palace (downstairs), and his Hot Rods bar (upstairs), from the early 90's until 2001.
Mark is one of the most enterprising, go-getting guys I ever met. He is always looking to improve/expand pool, and extremely supportive of the pool community.
I am honored to have been a part of his regular customer base and wish him all the best in his battle🙏
 
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