Michael Cunniffe

Michael Cunniffe, 80, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on January 6th at Brandywine Hospital, Coatesville, PA. Born in Athlone, Co. West meath , Ireland. He worked on his family farm after the untimely death of his father in 1951. In the spring of 1956, when Michael was 20 years old, he met the love of his life, Agnes Jennings, at a local Maypole dance. Agreeing to marry in the United States, Michael emigrated before Agnes in 1959 and settled in Bayridge, Brooklyn. Shortly after arriving he was drafted in the U.S. Army, the 4th Armored Division, 24th Engineer Battalion in Fuerth, Germany. Stationed in Germany from 1960-1962, Michael proudly served in the army as a tanker, worked in demolitions, and was a sharpshooter. After his service in 1963, Michael married Agnes and in 1967 they settled in Flushing, Queens where they raised their daughters, Mary and Catherine. With a love for driving, Michael worked for Carey Transportation, driving a bus out of Kennedy airport for 30 years. He then spent the next 12 years as a beloved doorman at 565 W. End Avenue where he ended his distinguished union career.

When he wasn’t working, Michael, gregarious in nature, would make friends wherever he would go. He also cheered on the NY Mets, gardened at his apartment complex, walked the family dog all over Flushing, and, as a devoted Catholic, he served as a sacristan and later an usher at his parish. In his free time you would never see him with a drink, not once in his entire life. When Michael was young he became a “Pioneer”, promising before the Blessed Mother that he would never consume alcohol, a commitment he was always proud of. Instead, he continually devoted his time to others, especially his family. Whenever he could he loved spending time with his wife and daughters, whether it was riding bikes through the park or dancing to Irish music late into the night in East Durham, NY, where the family would spend their summers. Later in life he was a proud grandfather to Michael, Elizabeth, Neil and Liam, all of whom are blessed to have had such an adoring and attentive grandfather.

In 2005 Michael developed Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the blood, and fought it with his devoted wife by his side for the next 9 years before she passed away from lung cancer in 2014. Afterwards his health deteriorated and his pain increased, but his devotion to the Blessed Mother and the love he had for his family were unwavering. God bless Michael Cunniffe, a true gentleman who befriended and graced people wherever he went. He will be dearly missed.

Preceded in death by his father Michael and mother Bridget ( nee Dignan), infant son John, dear wife Agnes (nee Jennings ), beloved brother Patrick Cunniffe, sister-in-law Mary (nee Keane) Cunniffe, adored niece Tara Cunniffe, and brother-in-law Pat Tarallo. To cherish his memory, he leaves his daughter, Mary (Paul) Krohn and grandson Michael and granddaughter Elizabeth; daughter Catherine (Kevin) Waffenschmidt and grandsons Neil and Liam; sisters Christine Tarallo of Manhattan and Patricia (Ollie) Keenaghan of Ferbane, Co. Offaly Ireland; brother Martin (Patricia) Cunniffe of Athlone, Co. Westmeath Ireland; sister-in-law Kay (nee Jennings) Verdon of Athlone, Co. Westmeath Ireland and her family; and sister-in-law Eileen (Lyons) Jennings of Roscommon, Ireland and her family, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation on Thursday January 12, 2017 from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. at Quinn-Fogarty Funeral Home in Flushing, N.Y. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 9:30A.M. at St. Andrew Avellino, Flushing, N.Y. followed by interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, N.Y.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project.