Edward J. McNiff

DANVERS-Edward J. McNiff, Jr., 86, passed away suddenly on February 23, 2022. He was the husband of Elaine (Campbell) McNiff with whom he shared 63 years of marriage. Born in Salem on September 26, 1935, he was the son of the late Edward and Grace (McCoy) McNiff. Edward was a lifelong resident of Danvers and communicant of Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church. He graduated from St. John’s Preparatory School in 1953 and received his bachelor’s degree from Boston College and master’s degree from Northeastern University. Edward worked as a physicist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology for 32 years at the Francis Bitter National Magnet Lab. Edward enjoyed spending summers at his cottage on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro, NH surrounded by his family. He was an avid Boston sports fan, a Boston College Football season ticket holder for many years. He spoiled many friends and family members to not only the ENTIRE game (regardless of the score!) but also with a hot dog and candy. He enjoyed hosting his family for holidays and was an excellent baker of biscuits and pies. His attention to detail was obvious when decorating his gingerbread houses at Christmas or coloring eggs at Easter. An avid reader and committed volunteer/mentor/tutor to many in their academic endeavors, most of all, Edward’s passion was his family. In addition to his wife, Elaine, he is survived by four daughters, Sharon McCarthy of Danvers, Maureen Branconnier of Danvers, Karol-Anne O’Leary and her husband, Thomas of Newburyport and Kathleen Mortimer and her husband, Jeffrey of Weston, twelve grandchildren, Andrew McCarthy, Kristen Aprile, Shayla McCarthy, Laura Lanzi, Carly and Nicole Branconnier, Brigid, Michael, Ellen and Eamon O’Leary and Alex and Kyle Mortimer, eight great grandchildren, Rhett, Charlie, Nolan, Zoe, Teagan, Piper, Eddie and Charlotte, his siblings James McNiff of Danvers and Joan Mercer of CA and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in his honor at 11AM on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Annunciation Cemetery, Danvers. Visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Monday, February 28, 2022, at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. Ed was a strong supporter of STEM education, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Edward’s name to Bishop Fenwick High School, 99 Margin St., Peabody, MA, 01960 or https://www.fenwick.org/support/online-giving or Saint Mary of the Annunciation School, 14 Otis St, Danvers, MA, 01923 or https://stmaryschooldanvers.org/annualgiving, or St. John’s Preparatory School, 72 Spring St., Danvers, MA, 01923 or https://www.stjohnsprep.org/giving/annual-giving. To view a live stream of the Funeral Mass please go to: http://www.streamography.com/lyons-funeral-home