Obituary of Donald John Gribben

Donald John Gribben, 75, of Pequannock, died Thursday, February 24, 2022 at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. 

Born in Jersey City, Don was the son of William and Helen Gribben. Raised in West New York, Don was a graduate of John J. College of Criminal Justice in New York City. 

He was drafted into the Army in 1964, and proudly served as a Green Beret during the Vietnam Conflict. He remained with the Army for six years, serving as a Spanish interpreter for a time. 

Following his Honorable discharge in 1974, he earned employment as a police officer with the West New York Police Department. He rose through the ranks, retiring as a Captain after 38 years of service in 2012. 

Marrying MaryEllen Briordy in 1979, the couple lived first in West New York before moving their growing family to Pequannock. Don always believed in a strong education, and the town's well-renowned schools drew he and MaryEllen from Hudson county. Don was a really hands-on dad, and always tried to be present for everything as the kids were growing up, even if he had to change his shift to do so. 

Don and MaryEllen were blessed with four grandchildren, and Don continued to be as supportive and loving to them as he was to his children. He adored his family, and put them first, always. There was little else he needed in life than his family. 

Retiring 10 years ago, Don led a quiet life in retirement, and spent most of his time reading books. He always seemed to have book in his back pocket! Even when he wasn't reading, his next favorite past-time was to watch foreign films with subtitles, which his wife joked "was just like reading a book." 

Don was dearly beloved and will be sorely missed. He is lovingly survived by his wife, MaryEllen; his children, Donald Gribben, Meredith Kernan and her husband Casey, and Samantha Gribben and her fiance Christopher Lachmann; his grandchildren, Jack, Daphne, Sophie and Hannah Kernan; as well as the many members of MaryEllen's family, including many sister- in- laws, brother-in-laws as well many nieces and nephews. 

He was predeceased by his parents, William and Helen Gribben. 

Visitation will be held Tuesday from 9 am to 12 pm at the funeral home. A funeral Mass will be held 12:30 pm Tuesday at Holy Spirit RC Church, Pequannock. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center would be greatly appreciated by the Gribben family.