On August 7th, 2015, renowned portrait artist Scott Griswold (Sr.) of Wellsboro, Pa passed away peacefully. Scott also lived in Ocean City, NJ and Ocala FLA. He was 96 years old. His wife, Marceil Packard Griswold and his daughter Nan were at his side and attended by the loving support staff at Country Terrace Assisted Living where Scott and his wife of 72 years lived for the past seven years.
Scott was born in 1919 to Nettie and Floyd Griswold and raised in Canton, PA where he lettered in both basketball as a guard and football at the position of end.
A lean-built Scott was once asked how he was able to score so many touchdowns, he replied with a smile, "I had to run like lightning to keep from getting “killed” by those big guys on the other side!”
Scott was born in 1919 to Nettie and Floyd Griswold and raised in Canton, PA where he lettered in both basketball as a guard and football at the position of end.
A lean-built Scott was once asked how he was able to score so many touchdowns, he replied with a smile, "I had to run like lightning to keep from getting “killed” by those big guys on the other side!”
Scott was also a fine student and graduated second in his high school class. Scott’s interest in artwork began as a young boy. In just the 8th grade, he lettered display signs in pen and ink calligraphy for Biddle’s Men's store in Canton.
After earning a degree in Fine Art from Syracuse University, Scott entered the service, went to Officer Training School and fought as a member of the US Army’s famed Rainbow Division in Northern France during World War ll. He was honorably discharged having obtained the rank of Captain.
Scott started his career in the advertising field as an illustrator, first in Cleveland, Ohio and then moved to Haddonfield NJ and produced full page magazine illustrations for Campbell Soup Co.. Scott and Marceil soon decided it would be good to leave suburbia to raise their two children, Scott, Jr. and Nan in the same little country town where they had grown up and so the family moved back to their hometown in rural Pennsylvania.
Scott taught art in the Canton Area Public School system for many years. At one point, his wife suggested that he take on a portrait commission to which he agreed. This commission was to transform their lives and professional careers for the next 60 years.
Marceil was an astute salesperson who built Scott’s portrait following to great heights having secured commissions to paint for Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, George Steinbrenner, actress Jill Ireland and many more famous personalities, finally producing portraits for President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. To top this off, Scott and Marceil were invited to a private, 45 minute-long social visit with then President Clinton at the White House one Christmas Day evening.
Much of Scott Griswold’s career involved equestrian art which involved extensive travel throughout the Eastern United States. Two artistic highlights were painting Triple Crown winner, Secretariat and the Queen of England’s filly, in oil.
Scott’s sharpest artistic eye and softest heart was for canines of every kind. He possessed a deep affection for any dog he came in contact with and this fondness found its way onto each piece he painted. Scott advised young artists, “Draw what you know. Paint what you love.”
Scott enjoyed a wonderful sense of humor, often making light of himself in the process. He was very humble in spite of his talents and accomplishments and gracious to everyone. Scott was a loving husband and father; a friend and mentor to his children and grandchildren and is now fondly remembered and deeply missed by his entire family.
Scott is survived by his wife Marceil, son Scott, Jr. of Ocean City, NJ and daughter Nan Corsello of Skaneateles, NY; grandchildren Scott Griswold, lll, Rebecca Griswold, Jack Griswold, Shelley Griswold, Sarah Morabito, Steven Corsello and six great grandchildren.
The funeral visitation will be from 10:30-11:30 am on August 15, at the Church of Christ, Disciples in Canton Pa with a short service following. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you make a donation to a charity in Scott Griswold’s memory.
morseandkleesefuneralhome.com
