Albert Grifone, official of magazine, newspaper company

Albert V. Grifone, 92, of Newtown Square, former vice president and chief financial officer of Triangle Publications Inc., publisher of TV Guide, died Thursday, June 30, of congestive heart failure at White Horse Village.

Mr. Grifone's business career at Triangle, under publisher Walter H. Annenberg, spanned more than four decades. He also served on the board of directors from 1975 to 1988, the year the company was sold.

Despite Mr. Grifone's professional successes, family members said he remained humble and grounded.

"He was extremely successful and rose very high in the business world, but he always retained his humility," said daughter Gail. "That was the duality of his personality - he was both serious and silly."

Born in 1923, Mr. Grifone was reared in Upper Darby, graduating from Upper Darby High School as salutatorian. He briefly attended Drexel University, but his studies were interrupted when he enlisted during World War II in 1942.

Serving with the Ninth Air Force in Europe, Mr. Grifone was a member of a troop carrier group whose aircraft dropped paratroopers into France on D-Day.

During his military service, Mr. Grifone became friends with a variety of people, including Russians who had been prisoners of war, said his family. His squadron received a series of honors, including a distinguished unit citation.

Mr. Grifone returned to his studies after the war.

Following graduation from Drexel, he joined Triangle, which owned several publications, including the Inquirer, in 1945. In addition to his various financial positions at Triangle, which acquired the Daily News in 1957, he also served in professional associations, including the Financial Executives Institute and the Economic and Taxation Council of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

Yet it was the love of family that most closely defined Mr. Grifone. He liked to sing and host small concerts with his grandchildren for the enjoyment of family.

"He was the foundation and personality of the family," said daughter Christine Field.

His daughters recalled a vacation at Walt Disney World during which they attended a talent show with their father. Mr. Grifone surprised everyone by appearing on stage to perform under the name "The Singing Pop-pop," winning second place and a standing ovation.

Besides his daughters, he is survived by his wife, Aurora; daughter Kim Rose; six grandchildren; a great-grandson; and a sister.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Chapel, 625 Montgomery Ave., followed by a reception at the Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova.

Contributions may be made to Drexel via http://giving.drexel.edu/ways/overview, or to Boy Scouts of America Troop 19 via http://troop19scouting.webs.com.

vkannan@philly.com

215-854-4147 @KannanVibha