Teddy Griffin
1927 - 1995

Teddy Griffin was born March 9, 1927 in Detroit. It is said he inherited his craziness from his father, John "Albin", who could always be counted on to solve plumbing problems at illegal watering holes during prohibition. His mother, Margaret, who was drop-dead gorgeous and a saint to boot, bequeathed him her generous spirit.

As a young man, if there was good-natured trouble, Teddy was somewhere nearby. He was a good Catholic boy who couldn't be tamed by the Sisters of St. Mary's in Redford or the Brothers of Assumption High in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He was a good citizen who cooperated with the police whenver he was caught and became a master plumber and contractor who preferred the pub to the well. He aspired to, but never attended, Notre Dame and was a sports aficionado who zealously played the game on the sidelines.

Teddy Griffin was "Duffy". No matter where he set up shop, this big, raw, rough-cut diamond of an Irishman was the main attraction. His life became legend from the first Duffy's in northwest Detroit in 1958, to Duffy's Cooley Lake Inn in Union Lake, Duffy's Den in Redford, Duffy's in Harbor Springs and Charlevoix, to finally, the present-day Teddy Griffin's Roadhouse, established circa 1987.

If the man was alive today to tell you this story himself, it would begin with his friends and end with his friends. Sports-greats Terry Sawchuck, Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Ted Lindsay, Sid Abel, Nick Libett and Gary Bergman (to name a few) frequented Teddy's pubs so often, they lost the jerseys off their backs. Bruce Martyn, a close friend and the voice of the Red Wings who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, is also enshrined forever on the walls of the Roadhouse. Despite what it says on their birth certificates, Teddy went to his reward believing that every one of these guys was part Irish.

This self-professed man's man also had a soft spot for man's best friend. He was such a devoted partner to his Springer Spaniel, Shannon, that the two began to look alike. At an annual Harbor Springs July 4, dog/owner look-alike contest, the two won by the biggest landslide in history. (You can judge the uncanny resemblance for yourself by looking at the photograph over the bar. Teddy's the one on the left.)

The "Bear", as he was affectionately known, lived life to the fullest and made sure everyone around him did the same. There was the time on New Year's Eve in 1955 when Alex Delvecchio was in the throes of a scoreless season and needed a boost. Instead of merely giving the Red Wing center a rabbit's foot for good luck, Tedy threw a whole - and very much alive - rabbit out onto the ice at Olympia Stadium. Alex scored his first goal that night.

We could all learn a few good lessons form Teddy. He was easy to know and hard to forget. He was a friend to prince and pauper and cared nary a twit about he difference. He demanded honesty, returned it a thousand-fold and held a fierce loyalty for friends, family and staff. Even when Teddy called them a particularly salty expletive, for which he was well-known but which cannot be repeated here, everyone knew it was a heartfelt term of endearment. (Someone around the Roadhouse will be glad to whisper the "chosen word" to you if you're curious.)

Coming into the Roadhouse today is like visiting a best friend. Those who knew him come back to refresh their mind and spirit and soak up the aura and ambience that was distinctly Teddy. Those who didn't have the privilege come because of his reputation and legendary fare. Each spends a moment admiring his hockey shrine, the pictures of Buttons Mulcahey and Shannon's final resting place. Each asks, without gain, for the secret to "Ted Bread", Roadhouse frog legs, ribs and the best steak ever, as well as the savory house dressing and the many specialty entrees.

His son, Joe, has adopted the establishment and shows the same potential for "pubbing" as his legendary father. His namesake, Teddy, who is much like his grandfather, already exhibits some of the same genius in the kitchen. It seems the Duffy way is to start 'em young and keep 'em forever.

Teddy's everlasting wish for you and all who knew him is his own version of a traditional Irish blessing: