J. Michael Canniffe

J. Michael “Mike” Canniffe, lifelong Marbleheader, died on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. He was born at the original Mary A. Alley Hospital on Franklin Street on February 24, 1939, to James and Grace (Kenney) Canniffe.

Michael attended the Samuel Roads School, and Marblehead Junior and High Schools, where he was president of the class of ’57 and where he met many lifelong friends. He was a graduate of Boston College.

Michael was a past president of the Rotary Club of Marblehead and the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce, served on the board of directors of the Marblehead Savings Bank, and was a longtime Registrar of Voters in Marblehead. He and his wife, Alicia were longtime parishioners of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Marblehead.

He grew up in the Shipyard area of Marblehead and later moved to Beach Street. It was there, at age 14, that his life changed forever.

The day started like most days in the summer of 1953, goofing off on his front lawn with childhood friends Bill Hammond and Dennis Sheehan. It changed when summer neighbor Alicia Harkins walked by with her younger brother Tom. Michael knew he had found his best friend for life. It was ten years later that Michael and Alicia married, on June 29th, 1963. They lived, raised their children, and ran their businesses, Canniffe’s Mens Wear and Stowaway Sweets, on Atlantic Avenue in Marblehead.

Michael enjoyed life and gathering with family and friends, especially in Marblehead. He had a gift for always finding something to celebrate and was an eternal optimist. Throughout the years, you could frequently hear him whistling in his back yard as he tended to his garden, particularly to the roses and rhododendron. He was grateful and happiest when his family was together. Saying goodbye was never easy. Baptisms, birthdays, weddings, or just out to lunch, Mike was always looking forward to the next celebration.

Mike was never one to dwell on the past. Before his last sip of coffee at breakfast, his frequent refrain was “where are we going to lunch?” He reminded us daily that life was short so... "Live it up, kid!"

Michael was pre-deceased by Alicia, his wife (and best friend) of 61 years, his parents, and his brother James Edward.

He leaves five children, daughters Ann Stewart (James)of Wiscasset, Maine, Elizabeth Aurensan (Bernard) of Fort Myers, Florida, Julie Davis (Kevin) of Herndon, Virginia, Catherine Mann (William) of Marblehead, and a son, John Canniffe (Karen) of New Providence, New Jersey. He also leaves his ten beloved grandchildren, Gabrielle, Maeve, Alexander, Grace, Frederick, Julia, Rosalie, Neeve, Lucy, and Marielle, great-grandchildren Charlotte and Colton, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Thomas and Barbara Harkins. He also leaves many relatives, friends and loved ones.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, April 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm Street. His Funeral Mass will follow on Tuesday, April 8th at 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead. Burial will follow at Star of the Sea Cemetery, Marblehead. Donations may be made in memory of Michael to Boston Public Radio, www.wgbh.org/tribute . Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for Michael's family.