Walter A. Cuffe Jr.

Mr. Walter A. Cuffe, Jr., 70, of Lynn died Wednesday at home surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was the devoted husband to Sally A. (Chase) Cuffe, with whom he shared 45 years of marriage.

Walter was born in Lynn, son of the late Walter A. Cuffe, Sr. and Loretta (Thomas) Cuffe. He was a lifelong resident of the city. Walter graduated from St. Mary’s High School Class of 1958 and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Salem State University, where he served as Class President. Walter then went on to The New England Institute of Anatomy and Sanitary Science, Embalming and Funeral Directing, graduating in 1963. Walter then returned to Salem State University and earned his Master of Education Degree in the field of Guidance, graduating with the Class of 1966.

Walter was the owner and operator of the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, and began his career in Funeral Service alongside his father Walter A. Cuffe, Sr. in 1963 when the business was known to many as the W.A. Cuffe and Son Funeral Home on Johnson St. During this time, Walter was also a Teacher in the Lynn Public Schools where he taught Business at Breed Junior High School and Classical High School and was also a Guidance Counselor. Prior to teaching and taking over the operations of the Funeral Home, Walter also worked for the City of Lynn Welfare Department as a Social Worker. Walter was granted a leave of absence from the school department in 1976 and then retired from the School Department in 1977. In July of 1976, Walter and Sally bought the William E. McGinn Funeral Home on Maple Street, enlarged the Funeral Home in 1981, and then closed the Johnson Street location. Walter took great pride serving the families in the Lynn and surrounding communities in many capacities for over fifty years and considered it an honor and privilege to work tirelessly in order to care for those who came to him during their time of greatest need. Walter has served as a Mentor to the entire funeral home staff for decades as well.

Over the years, Walter has served many civic organizations and has served on many Boards. He was a true Lynner and loved the City. He was a member of the Division 10 Ancient Order of Hibernians, Lynn Chamber of Commerce, Lynn Lodge of Elks #117, National Funeral Directors Assoc., The St. Vincent DePaul Society through St. Pius V Church, Valladolid Council # 70 Knights of Columbus. He was a long time member of the Wyoma Lions Club where he served as First Vice President, Membership Chairman and served on the Board of Directors. Walter also served on the Lynn Hospital and Century North Shore Bank and Trust Board of Directors, The Massachusetts Funeral Directors Assoc., Salem State College Alumni and the Salem State College Foundation, the Spanish Apostolate, My Brothers Table and St. Mary’s Regional High School Board of Trustees. He also served on the St. Pius V Parish Finance Council, served as Chairman of the Development Fund Campaign at V.N.A. of Greater Lynn, the Lynn English High School Improvement Council, and the Lynn Boys Club. He also served on the Pine Grove Cemetery Commission. Walter was a recipient of many awards over the years including recognition as a “Laudable Lynner”. He received the Salem State College, “Outstanding Educator Award”, received the Yankee Clipper Council’s, “Distinguished Service Award”, was inducted as a “Melvin Jones Fellow”, by Lion’s Club International and was honored at the annual Irish Needle Night in 2001. He was inducted into the Boys and Girls Club of Lynn Hall of Fame in 2004 and was the recipient of the Lynn Elks Community Service and Citizenship Award in 2005.He was Elected a member of the American Assoc. of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta on Sept. 27, 1995. Walter was proud of his Irish heritage and held dual citizenship in Ireland and the United States. On March 17, 1992 he was awarded Catholic Irishman of the year by the Ancient Order of the Hibernians Division 10.

In addition to his loving and committed wife Sally, Walter is survived by his three, devoted daughters: Kelley C. Howells and her husband David of Marblehead, Katy A. Cuffe-Burgess of Danvers and Kerrin F. Morley and her husband Tommy of Watertown. One sister, Loretta Cuffe-O’Donnell of Lynn. His seven beloved grandchildren Erin K. Burgess, Mary E. Burgess, Eliza G. Howells, Daniel Walter Howells, Charlotte M. Howells, Robert Cuffe Morley and Brendan Chase Morley. He is also survived by his nephew Anthony Cuffe O’Donnell of Salem.

Walter’s Funeral will be held on Monday from the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple St. Lynn at 10 AM. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Pius V Church at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be Saturday from 6-8 PM and Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9. Interment will be in St. Josephs Cemetery. The family has requested donations to be made to the Lynn Classical High School/Walter A. Cuffe, Jr. Scholarship Fund, 235 O’Callaghan Way Lynn, MA 01905, the Walter A. Cuffe, Jr. Scholarship Fund c/o St. Mary’s High School, 35 Tremont St. Lynn, MA 01902 or the Class of 1962 Scholarship Fund, SSU Foundation, 352 Lafayette St. Salem, MA 01970.