The distant sound of crashing waves rang through the tree line of Refuge Cove State Recreation Area, north of Ketchikan. The park was a favorite of Sean Griffin, who lived just walking distance from the area. He died in the 3rd Avenue Bypass landslide.
“Before he passed away, we walked down here every night unless it was blowing sideways,” said Sarah Griffin, Sean’s wife. She said the two would often watch sunsets at the recreation area.
“And then, now, it’s a spot for the kids and I and his mom to come to, just to kind of remember,” Sarah said. “And it’s a beautiful spot.”
On August 25, the landslide’s two year anniversary, the site’s forest-covered picnic area was dotted with dozens of Sean’s friends, family and fellow community members. They were there to honor and remember Sean at a memorial plaque dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony.
The memorial, atop a small bluff, overlooks the Tongass Narrows, where Sean spent a lot of his free time.
Sean was born and raised in Ketchikan, and worked for the city for 17 years. He started as a solid waste collector, then operator. He later moved to the streets department, where he was promoted to senior maintenance technician.
His wife remembers him as a go-getter, who enjoyed working with his hands. She said his dedication to the job, and to his community, is why Sean was working on the day the landslide hit.
“I think it speaks volumes to his character that he was on vacation, but he still went in when he was called in,” Sarah said. “And ultimately, his last call.”
Duane Galloway, who worked with Sean at the streets department, looked back at his coworker’s commitment to the community. He said Sean had a great attitude and an open heart, and was a good person to work with.
“He was a self-teacher,” Galloway said. “He has a goal, like, ‘Hey, I can do that.’ He’s never done it before, but he’ll do it. He’s our guinea pig.”
“And then he’ll learn, and then he’ll teach someone else how to do it, which is cool,” Galloway added.
Galloway said it was an honor to help install Sean’s memorial plaque. A number of other groups, including Ketchikan High School’s National Honor Society, helped bring the memorial to Refuge Cove. Underneath the plaque are signatures of everyone Sean worked with at the streets department.
And the plaque spells out who Sean was as a person. He was a husband. He was a brother. He was a friend.
But he was also a dad of four boys. Each of his children’s names is on the post holding the plaque.
Sarah, his wife, said Sean loved being a father.
“He was quiet, but he was always – he was the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back, but he wouldn’t want you to mention it,” Sarah said.
And it’s not just a plaque that was dedicated in Sean’s honor. There’s also a memorial tree, planted as a testament to his enduring memory.
Those who knew him said Sean did not enjoy being the center of attention, and a memorial dedication like this would not have been his style. But his wife said she wants the community to remember his legacy, and the memorial is just a small way to do that.
“He was the quiet guy behind the scenes who just did it, so he would have been pissed that we’re making a big deal out of it,” Sarah said. “But we all really loved him, so we don’t want anyone to forget.”
Ketchikan’s city and borough mayors read proclamations at the ceremony remembering the 2024 landslide and Sean. A rotary phone was also set up at the memorial for people to share stories or leave messages to the family.
Hunter Morrison is a Report for America corps member for KRBD. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution.
