Canniffe, John Michael (February 24, 1939—March 29, 2025)
John Michael Canniffe from Marbehead, Massachusetts attended Grinnell for two years, 1957-59, where he was a resident of Clark Hall. Afterwards he transferred to Boston College.
He was born on February 24, 1939 in Marblehead and was class president of its public high school in 1957. After graduating from Boston College, he returned to Marblehead where in 1963 he married his hometown sweetheart, Alicia Harkins, and where they raised their five children and ran their businesses, Canniffe’s Mens Wear and Stowaway Sweets.
Michael was a past president of the town’s Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce, served on the board of directors of the Marblehead Savings Bank, and was a longtime Registrar of Voters for the town. He and Alicia were longtime parishioners of the town’s Our Lady Star of the Sea church.
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 backyard 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.
One of his friends said, “I have never met a more generous and caring person. As I share this time of remembering a dear friend with you. I too will find comfort in knowing such a great life will continue to thrive in the heavens above. That each of us, especially Mike’s family, will always feel his presence in our hearts. God Bless.”
Another friend said Mike “was so kind to me. When I was very young, he knew we had nothing, he allowed a young kid to have a credit account at his store so I could buy gifts for my family, I will never forget the kindness.”
A married couple had “Many fond memories over the years of Canniffe’s Men’s Store, the place to buy special monogrammed items, Stowaway Sweets with Chamber of Commerce fun times like a Champagne tasting with delicious chocolates in between to clear the palate, fundraising Fashion Show, meeting at the 99 Restaurant where the two often took [their granddaughter] to dinner or enjoying a donut and coffee after Sunday mass. These are some of the memories that we have of Mike & Alicia that we will cherish and not forget. The family has truly lost 2 special people.”
Obituary, J. Michael Canniffe, Dignity Memorial, https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/marblehead-ma/j-canniffe-12312190 (contains a recent photograph of Michael)
