Chester County Judge Edward Griffith Dies At Age 74

WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County Judge Edward Griffith, a longtime lawyer who was elected to the bench in 2003, passed away Tuesday.

He began his law career in 1973 as an associate at the law firm Duane, Morris & Heckscher in Philadelphia and moved to their Paoli office in 1978, eventually becoming a partner in 1981.

In 2003, Griffith was elected a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Chester County, where he served until his death.

President Judge John L. Hall said Thursday that Griffith was an extremely hard worker and an excellent judge.

“He will be greatly missed,” Hall said. “Even in his final days, while seriously ill, he devotedly worked with his staff to make necessary judicial decisions and keep his list of cases current. His decisions were rarely appealed and those that were almost never reversed.”

The Chester County Bar Association, comprised of lawyers, overwhelmingly qualified Griffith as qualified to be a judge in 2002.

“Beyond his unquestioned acumen as a lawyer and jurist, his easy-going, enjoyable personality quickly led to friendships with his colleagues,” Hall said. "His loss is significant, professionally and personally, to all of us.”

Born in Wilkes-Barre, Griffith was the son of the late Edward M. Griffith and Jane Randall Griffith Jones.

Griffith attended Wyoming Seminary Day School, Luzerne County. He graduated from the Hill School, Pottstown.

He earned a bachelor of arts degree in history at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, and a law degree at Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Trevor S. Griffith.

Surviving are his wife Jessie Conyngham Griffith of West Chester; son Stewart R. Griffith (Beau) of West Chester; grand-son Benjamin S. Griffith; step-daughters Kristen A. Costello, Lauren A Cranston, Carolyn A. Dehne, Olivia A. Beauchaine; and 10 step-grand-children.

Funeral Services will be held at the convenience of the family. A memorial service will be announced for a date to be determined in the spring.