:: k-griff, who he was and why we loved him... ::
our tragic loss...
We love and miss you Kenny...
Kenny Griffin: fun, energetic, wild,
social, loving, crazy, generous, kind,
considerate, everything a parent
wants in a child - a perfect package of
a person.
social, loving, crazy, generous, kind,
considerate, everything a parent
wants in a child - a perfect package of
a person.
Kenny and Kyle
For quite a few years Kenny has been
best friends with Cory, formerly known
as Doug. Over the last 2.5 years,
Kenny spent a great deal of time with
Cory's family, sleeping there almost
daily and making himself a permanent
fixture.
Cory's younger brother, Kyle who is 17,
is Autistic. Kenny, when he first met
Kyle, didn't understand what it meant
to be Autistic. So after 3 warnings
from Kyle's mom(Anne) NOT to swear
in front of Kyle, Kenny got a flip flop to
the lip - don't panic he was 17 already
and could handle a little flip flop to the
lip. Anyway, after that, he came home
to Anne's one day and said, "so, Ma,"
(that's what he called her) "what's the
deal, why is he like that, explain it to
me?" and Anne responded, "you don't
want to hear this." and Kenny said,
"yes, I do, I need to know everything."
So, Anne sat with Kenny and explained
the whole condition and the
importance of not swearing in front of
Kyle. From that moment on, Kenny
connected with Kyle and Kyle
connected with Kenny. Kenny
frequently checked on Kyle during the
day at the high school, where Kenny
was a Senior at the time. And Kyle
frequently hung out with Kenny at
Anne's house - like all the time. Only
Anne can truly describe the connection
they shared and how beneficial it was
for Kyle - but know, in her own words
she stated that Kenny would be greatly
missed by Kyle.
Additionally, over the last two years,
Kenny volunteered at a dance studio
that specialized in teaching Autistic
children. The owner said to Kenny on
several occasions that he should
become a behavioral/ occupational
therapist. And Kenny would say, "na, I
like my cars, I do this for fun". He did it
for fun? Hm? It wasn't work for him
and he enjoyed doing it and he never
expected anything in return for his
efforts. I don't even think he thought
that he was applying any effort, in his
words, it was for fun.
Kenny also participated in the Walk for
Autism with Kyle, Cory, JP, and the rest
of the crew last year.
And so, with the death of Kenny a
wonderful cause was born, Kenny's
Connection. As his parents we
wanted his efforts to live on through
our efforts with this foundation. Our
mission and everything the foundation
represents was built on Kenny's
outlook in life and how he took the
time to reach out to Kyle and help him
and love him, unconditionally.
best friends with Cory, formerly known
as Doug. Over the last 2.5 years,
Kenny spent a great deal of time with
Cory's family, sleeping there almost
daily and making himself a permanent
fixture.
Cory's younger brother, Kyle who is 17,
is Autistic. Kenny, when he first met
Kyle, didn't understand what it meant
to be Autistic. So after 3 warnings
from Kyle's mom(Anne) NOT to swear
in front of Kyle, Kenny got a flip flop to
the lip - don't panic he was 17 already
and could handle a little flip flop to the
lip. Anyway, after that, he came home
to Anne's one day and said, "so, Ma,"
(that's what he called her) "what's the
deal, why is he like that, explain it to
me?" and Anne responded, "you don't
want to hear this." and Kenny said,
"yes, I do, I need to know everything."
So, Anne sat with Kenny and explained
the whole condition and the
importance of not swearing in front of
Kyle. From that moment on, Kenny
connected with Kyle and Kyle
connected with Kenny. Kenny
frequently checked on Kyle during the
day at the high school, where Kenny
was a Senior at the time. And Kyle
frequently hung out with Kenny at
Anne's house - like all the time. Only
Anne can truly describe the connection
they shared and how beneficial it was
for Kyle - but know, in her own words
she stated that Kenny would be greatly
missed by Kyle.
Additionally, over the last two years,
Kenny volunteered at a dance studio
that specialized in teaching Autistic
children. The owner said to Kenny on
several occasions that he should
become a behavioral/ occupational
therapist. And Kenny would say, "na, I
like my cars, I do this for fun". He did it
for fun? Hm? It wasn't work for him
and he enjoyed doing it and he never
expected anything in return for his
efforts. I don't even think he thought
that he was applying any effort, in his
words, it was for fun.
Kenny also participated in the Walk for
Autism with Kyle, Cory, JP, and the rest
of the crew last year.
And so, with the death of Kenny a
wonderful cause was born, Kenny's
Connection. As his parents we
wanted his efforts to live on through
our efforts with this foundation. Our
mission and everything the foundation
represents was built on Kenny's
outlook in life and how he took the
time to reach out to Kyle and help him
and love him, unconditionally.
 |  |  |  |  |  |
On August 16, 2007 I (Traci) received the one phone call every parent dreads, it was
Alyssa, Kenny's friend, "ma," (they all called me ma) "Kenny was in an accident and
it is bad..." I was at the Water Tower Place in Chicago shopping with my youngest
daughter and her friend. I fell to my knees crying, I knew instantly it wasn't good and
in my heart I knew he was gone.
I immediately returned home, at the time living in downtown Chicago, I had called
everyone from the cab - my husband first, "Babe, Kenny was in an accident it's bad,
please call the State Police..." Within the hour Dave called me back, "Babe, he didn't
make it!" I can't believe I had to stand there and hear those words - my son, my
baby boy was gone and I was 900+ miles away. Dave, my husband, was about 20
miles outside of the city stuck in traffic.
Three lives were lost that day, the car mangled, landing on it's roof after making
contact with a rock on the side of the road that forced the car airborne. The driver,
Mike Tripp, approached a hairpin turn on Narrow Ave at about 70mph and lost
control of the car.
the days that followed...
On August 20th, at Kenny's Calling Hours, 487 people payed their respects - all had
been touched by Kenny's love and love for life. On the 21st he was buried at Beech
Grove Cemetery in Westport - a cold, dark, windy day for August.
to know kenny is to love kenny...
Kenny was an amazing young man with a huge heart and charm that could break a
smile on the meanest mans face.
Kenny, from the time he could walk, was unorthodox in his actions - yet as his life
progressed he yielded more results than any of us in 18 short years. He never took
anything too serious, I think that is because as a 7-year old he had to watch his 4-
year old sister battle leukemia - he spent many long hours and days at Hasbro with
all of us as Aydan was receiving treatments. I think, after something like that, you
are taught at such young age, that "wow, it just doesn't get anymore serious than
this." Painfully, his actions were misunderstood by many, but it was only those that
didn't get to know him that misunderstood him and that is their loss now, because
to truly know him is to love him.
Kenny was a character, some kids have character – Kenny WAS a character, in the
finest sense of being. When he walked into a room, everyone knew it, he didn’t just
show up at a party, he was the party. He had this unmistakable way of bringing out
the passion in those who loved him, sometimes smiley passion, sometimes the
kind of passion where I would have steam coming out of my ears.
But Kenny was more than just a comedian, he was also an amazing friend and
compassionate boy. He impacted everyone he met and he did his good deeds
cloaked in a style that never let you see it coming because he was genuine. He
didn’t do the things he did for attention or fanfare, or community service points or
any self-serving attribute but instead, he did what he did with sincere compassion
as his only motivation. That’s not just a “feel-good” statement – there are so many
examples throughout his young life, like previously mentioned, when Aydan was
battling Leukemia and he was right there by her side and the sacrifices that came
with every trip to Hasbro never seemed to phase him, he just did his thing and
made her laugh. When his Dad went through dialysis and an eventual kidney
transplant, he was right there in support and if I only had a dime for every time he
said to my husband, “Dave what time is it, give me your cell phone, I need to call
Dad and make sure he takes his pills.” And the list goes on…he was the kind of kid
you begged to have for a friend and the kind of friend who gives up his doughnut
unconditionally (and Kyle knows all about that). Kenny was the kind of friend who
dances to the music only he can create in his head, yet everybody digs it…the kind
of friend who you knew had your back no matter what.
Kenny was always right there to give a helping hand to anyone and he always
recognized the fact that there were people less fortunate than him. He could take
the worse moment in someone's life and make them laugh hysterically. All of his
friends have stated they are lost with out him, his love, and his laughter.
There have been many moments that have imprinted indelible marks on my life, our
lives – but all these memories tie together as a testament to the life Kenny enjoyed
and shared. Kenny was always happy – even when upset at something he found a
way to be happy just a little bit…and its always been that way, from the time he
would wake up in his crib and never really cry, but just stand up and shake the rails
of his crib screaming, undoubtedly rendering the baby version of James Browns “I
feel good”…to the more recent times where he would just yell random thoughts at
the top of his lungs to anyone who would listen and no matter where he was –
being shy was definitely not an issue for K-Griff.
Most importantly, he was by far the most forgiving individual I have ever met - and
that alone is a great testament to the person he had become in 18 short years.
Like all remarkable people, Kenny leaves behind a legacy that insists on recall, and
this recollection is framed by memories and moments that are so permanent that
he will remain in all of our daily lives forever…and that’s where he’d want to be.
None of us will look at things quite the same, I certainly will not, instead, we’ll see
things from a perspective that has Kenny’s touch on it, and while he leaves us down
here with that perspective and those memories to keep us going, we have to find
some condolence in the fact that somewhere in the afterlife, Kenny, being the young
gentleman he is, has gone ahead to open the door and prepare the party for the day
when we meet up again. And know this for certain, he’s touching someone there,
generating more smiles, and pop locking and dropping like heaven has never
witnessed…we’ll miss him terribly, and now he is gone but not forgotten – as he
would say…never ever…ever…ever…ever.
Alyssa, Kenny's friend, "ma," (they all called me ma) "Kenny was in an accident and
it is bad..." I was at the Water Tower Place in Chicago shopping with my youngest
daughter and her friend. I fell to my knees crying, I knew instantly it wasn't good and
in my heart I knew he was gone.
I immediately returned home, at the time living in downtown Chicago, I had called
everyone from the cab - my husband first, "Babe, Kenny was in an accident it's bad,
please call the State Police..." Within the hour Dave called me back, "Babe, he didn't
make it!" I can't believe I had to stand there and hear those words - my son, my
baby boy was gone and I was 900+ miles away. Dave, my husband, was about 20
miles outside of the city stuck in traffic.
Three lives were lost that day, the car mangled, landing on it's roof after making
contact with a rock on the side of the road that forced the car airborne. The driver,
Mike Tripp, approached a hairpin turn on Narrow Ave at about 70mph and lost
control of the car.
the days that followed...
On August 20th, at Kenny's Calling Hours, 487 people payed their respects - all had
been touched by Kenny's love and love for life. On the 21st he was buried at Beech
Grove Cemetery in Westport - a cold, dark, windy day for August.
to know kenny is to love kenny...
Kenny was an amazing young man with a huge heart and charm that could break a
smile on the meanest mans face.
Kenny, from the time he could walk, was unorthodox in his actions - yet as his life
progressed he yielded more results than any of us in 18 short years. He never took
anything too serious, I think that is because as a 7-year old he had to watch his 4-
year old sister battle leukemia - he spent many long hours and days at Hasbro with
all of us as Aydan was receiving treatments. I think, after something like that, you
are taught at such young age, that "wow, it just doesn't get anymore serious than
this." Painfully, his actions were misunderstood by many, but it was only those that
didn't get to know him that misunderstood him and that is their loss now, because
to truly know him is to love him.
Kenny was a character, some kids have character – Kenny WAS a character, in the
finest sense of being. When he walked into a room, everyone knew it, he didn’t just
show up at a party, he was the party. He had this unmistakable way of bringing out
the passion in those who loved him, sometimes smiley passion, sometimes the
kind of passion where I would have steam coming out of my ears.
But Kenny was more than just a comedian, he was also an amazing friend and
compassionate boy. He impacted everyone he met and he did his good deeds
cloaked in a style that never let you see it coming because he was genuine. He
didn’t do the things he did for attention or fanfare, or community service points or
any self-serving attribute but instead, he did what he did with sincere compassion
as his only motivation. That’s not just a “feel-good” statement – there are so many
examples throughout his young life, like previously mentioned, when Aydan was
battling Leukemia and he was right there by her side and the sacrifices that came
with every trip to Hasbro never seemed to phase him, he just did his thing and
made her laugh. When his Dad went through dialysis and an eventual kidney
transplant, he was right there in support and if I only had a dime for every time he
said to my husband, “Dave what time is it, give me your cell phone, I need to call
Dad and make sure he takes his pills.” And the list goes on…he was the kind of kid
you begged to have for a friend and the kind of friend who gives up his doughnut
unconditionally (and Kyle knows all about that). Kenny was the kind of friend who
dances to the music only he can create in his head, yet everybody digs it…the kind
of friend who you knew had your back no matter what.
Kenny was always right there to give a helping hand to anyone and he always
recognized the fact that there were people less fortunate than him. He could take
the worse moment in someone's life and make them laugh hysterically. All of his
friends have stated they are lost with out him, his love, and his laughter.
There have been many moments that have imprinted indelible marks on my life, our
lives – but all these memories tie together as a testament to the life Kenny enjoyed
and shared. Kenny was always happy – even when upset at something he found a
way to be happy just a little bit…and its always been that way, from the time he
would wake up in his crib and never really cry, but just stand up and shake the rails
of his crib screaming, undoubtedly rendering the baby version of James Browns “I
feel good”…to the more recent times where he would just yell random thoughts at
the top of his lungs to anyone who would listen and no matter where he was –
being shy was definitely not an issue for K-Griff.
Most importantly, he was by far the most forgiving individual I have ever met - and
that alone is a great testament to the person he had become in 18 short years.
Like all remarkable people, Kenny leaves behind a legacy that insists on recall, and
this recollection is framed by memories and moments that are so permanent that
he will remain in all of our daily lives forever…and that’s where he’d want to be.
None of us will look at things quite the same, I certainly will not, instead, we’ll see
things from a perspective that has Kenny’s touch on it, and while he leaves us down
here with that perspective and those memories to keep us going, we have to find
some condolence in the fact that somewhere in the afterlife, Kenny, being the young
gentleman he is, has gone ahead to open the door and prepare the party for the day
when we meet up again. And know this for certain, he’s touching someone there,
generating more smiles, and pop locking and dropping like heaven has never
witnessed…we’ll miss him terribly, and now he is gone but not forgotten – as he
would say…never ever…ever…ever…ever.
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