Builder and Philanthropist Paul Griffin Jr. Dies

Paul E. Griffin Jr., a prodigious real estate developer and philanthropist, died April 6, according to Calabasas-based Griffin Living. He was 90.He was the fourth generation of the Griffin family involved in the home-building industry in Southern California. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley and became president of Griffin Homes in 1966, growing the company into one of the largest home builders in California.

During his career, he oversaw the construction of more than 30,000 homes.As a 40-year member of the Building Industry Association, Griffin was a founding member of its Governmental Affairs Council. He served as president of the Los Angeles/Ventura Building Industry Association and also a director for the National Association of Home Builders and the National Housing Roundtable.Sean Illes, who serves as project manager at Griffin Living, said he will remember him as “an outstanding member of our community who lived in Northridge and lent a helping hand to anyone in need.”Paul Griffin III continues the family legacy as chief executive of Griffin Living.Griffin’s granddaughter, who serves as director of communications at Griffin Living, called Paul Griffin Jr. the leader of the family and the company.“He was an extraordinarily successful person,” Aurora Griffin said. “You only meet someone with his accomplishments a few times in life.“What’s remarkable is that he was a humble, kind and generous person in spite of his success. He used his time and money for people who needed it,” she added.Outside of work he was also a man of faith, she said.“He and my grandma went to church every day,” Aurora Griffin said. “He passed with many of his children and his grandchildren around him, praying for him.”