Joseph Halsey Groff, III

1949-2025

CAPE ELIZABETH--Joseph Halsey Groff, III passed away on January 27, 2025, at the age of 75, after a long and courageous journey with Alzheimer's disease.  He leaves behind his beloved wife Christine Groff, daughters Lindsay Barrett and Sarah Hanson, sons-in-law Austin Barrett and Matt Hanson, and grandchildren Connor, Andrew, Miles, Natalie, and Paige Barrett and Molly, Simon, and Lydia Hanson, all of Cape Elizabeth.

Joe was born on August 23, 1949, to Joseph Halsey Groff, Jr. and Helen Gould Groff in Woodbury, NJ.  He loved to share fond memories of his childhood spent with his brother Rod and his cousins on Lake Gilman.  He graduated from Delsea Regional High School in 1967 and accepted a scholarship to play football at Tufts University, where he earned a BA in Economics in 1971.  As a "Tufts Jumbo", Joe forged friendships with his teammates and Theta Chi fraternity brothers that led to a lifetime of laughing with each other.

After college, Joe landed in Washington, DC and attended Georgetown University Law School. While working as a criminal prosecutor for the Department of Justice, he collected more lifelong friends.  He also met Christine, the newly-arrived British roommate of a colleague.  It was love at first sight, and just months later he told her, "We should get married." They did soon after, in 1978.  Joe didn't meet Christine's family until their wedding—and then, in true Joe fashion, he was unphased when they all joined their honeymoon.  Joe cherished his relationships with his in-laws and loved visiting England throughout his life.

In 1982, Joe and Christine moved to Cape Elizabeth, and Joe took a post as Assistant United States Attorney.  In 1989 he joined Jensen Baird Gardner & Henry, where he later became President and Managing Partner. He retired in 2014 after a distinguished career.

Joe credited his mother for teaching him that you received by giving—and give he did.  Beyond giving dedicated attention to his professional work, he spent countless hours serving his community.  He was an active parishioner at Saint Albans Church for years, and he patiently begged his daughters to, "Keep your eye on the ball!" as a Cape Elizabeth Little League coach.  He offered his steady leadership on town committees, and as a member, then chairman, of the Cape Elizabeth Town Council from 1996-1999.

Joe routinely said, "There's nothing more important than family," and he lived by this every day.  Joe's concept of "family" was expansive and included many to whom he was like a brother, second father, or uncle.  They share the anguish of his passing, and treasure memories of his advice, his stories, golf at Purpoodock, skiing at Sunday River, vacations, holiday traditions, and scores of classic Joe-isms.  While two of Joe's only downfalls were his abysmal sense of direction and his limited patience for household repairs, he was unfailingly the first to volunteer to ride along on an adventure, or to hold the ladder.

Joe was the ultimate "Pop-Pop." Even as his illness invaded, he never tired of holding a baby, singing "I've Been Working on the Railroad," making up silly games, and offering endless pushes on the swings.  That his disease stole his opportunity to see his grandchildren grow up would undoubtedly be his greatest regret.  His legacy will live on in them.

Supporting Alzheimer's research was exceptionally important to Joe.  He bravely participated in three drug trials following his diagnosis.  After his death, in accordance with his wishes, his family proudly donated his brain tissue to the same research group.  This contribution will support hundreds of studies for years to come.  Joe's family extends their deep gratitude to the staff members at The Mooring at the Downs and Compassus Hospice for their attentive care and appreciation for Joe during his final years.

A memorial service for Joe will be held at Saint Alban's Church, 885 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth on February 27 at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made in his name to The Alzheimer Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital at https://www.brighamandwomens.org/neurology/alzheimer-center .