Bernard L. Caniff, Sr.

Bernard L. Caniff, Sr. age 95 of South Yarmouth, formerly of Lynnfield, passed away at his home on December 31, 2023. 

He was born in Shrewsbury on July 21, 1928 and was the son of the late Leo B. and Isabelle (Dean) Caniff. 

Mr. Caniff was raised in Shrewsbury and was a graduate of Shrewsbury High School, Class of 1946 and he also graduated from Clark University’s business school. In 1951 he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country. Mr. Caniff worked many years as a self-employed dealer for Chrysler Corp before getting into the recycling industry, from which he retired. 

Together with his late wife Anne, Mr. Caniff started his family in Worcester before moving to Lynnfield in 1959 to raise his four children. He was a member of St. Maria Goretti parish. The family enjoyed summers on Cape Cod and he also enjoyed spending winters in Naples, FL. He was an avid golfer and was a member of both Salem Country Club and Pelican Bay Country Club. 

Mr. Caniff is survived by his wife, Carol (Koulis) Caniff; his son, Bernard L. Caniff, Jr. and his wife Deborah of Swampscott; his daughters, Mary Tylicki and her late husband Robert of Valley Center, CA, and Kathleen Brainerd and her husband Michael of North Reading; his eight grandchildren: Bernard L. Caniff, III, John W. Caniff, Kelly C. Mello, Robert A. Tylicki, Jr., Tara Tylicki, Michael L. Brainerd, Jr., Lindsay A. Driscoll, and Caitlin R. Gasparian; as well as 12 great grandchildren: Brandon, Jack, Justin, Madison, Olivia, Ryan, Finn, Chloe, Lilly, Isabella, Leah, and Luke. He was predeceased by his first wife, Anne (Lyons) Caniff, with whom he shared 48 years of marriage and his son, William Caniff. 

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Maria Goretti Church, 112 Chestnut St., Lynnfield on Saturday, January 13 at 10:30am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. There will be no visiting hours.
A private interment for the family will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Anne and Bernard Caniff Sr. Fund, St. John's Preparatory School, 72 Spring Street, Danvers, MA 01923, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place., Memphis, TN, 38105.

Arrangements in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield.