Charles Vincent Cunniff Jr.

Charles "Chuck" V. Cunniff, Jr. of Falmouth MA, passed away on Monday September 29th at Beth Israel hospital in Boston, MA. He was 69 years old. Chuck was born on August 19, 1956, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, MA, to Charles V. Cunniff Sr. and Mary H. Cunniff (née O'Donnell). He was a devoted brother to Stephen M. Cunniff of Wareham MA and Miriam "Mim" A. Gangel and her husband Christopher of Dallas, TX, and a cherished uncle to Mary Gangel of Wheat Ridge, CO and Devin Broadley of Plymouth, MA. Chuck was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Charlie and Mary, whose memory he held close throughout his life.

Chuck spent the first eight years of his life in Medford, MA, where he was christened at St. James Catholic Church and proudly served as an altar boy. In 1963, the family relocated to Lexington, MA, where Chuck attended Estabrook Elementary School followed by Diamond Junior High School. He attended both Lexington High School and Newman Preparatory School in Boston, completing his diploma at Lexington High School, graduating with the Class of 1976.

Throughout his life, Chuck remained connected to the friends he made during those formative years, especially the close-knit group known as the Summit Road group, whose enduring bond was a source of joy and strength to him.

Chuck's childhood was filled with family adventures that inspired his love of exploration -from trips to Washington, D.C., and drives through Shenandoah National Forest, to summer camping in Canada and on the banks of Wheelwright Pond in Lee, New Hampshire. A highlight was traveling to White Sands, NM, to witness his father's rocket launch.

Despite being deeply allergic to cats and dogs, Chuck's love for animals couldn't be contained. He brought home a few feline companions-Mittens and Jingles-without parental approval, where they quickly became beloved family members.

In June of 1980, Chuck married his high school sweetheart Tamra 'Tammy' Cunniff (Marek). They owned a home on the banks of Round Pond in East Falmouth MA, where they hosted many gatherings with family and friends. They were married for 43 years, and although their marriage ended in 2023, they kept in close contact.

Chuck worked several years as chief engineer aboard multiple fishing boats operating out of Woods Hole. He later joined the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. His career also took him to New York Harbor, where he served as chief engineer on multiple tugboats, navigating one of the busiest maritime environments in the country.

The most enduring chapter of his career began with the founding of Falmouth Sheet Metal, a company he built from the ground up. Through it, he designed and installed commercial kitchens for restaurants and luxury homes across the Upper Cape Cod region. Among his notable clients was the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, for whom he constructed large-scale metal buoys outfitted with sophisticated instruments and sensors to monitor and collect data on the marine environment.

Chuck concluded his professional journey at Cape Cod Railroad in Hyannis, where he found great satisfaction in this final chapter of his career. His extensive expertise in diesel engines earned him deep respect among his colleagues, while his mastery of sheet metal fabrication played a vital role in restoring vintage railcars.

Chuck's devoted companion for many years was his beloved dog, Petey. The two were inseparable-wherever Chuck went, Petey was close behind. One of their favorite rituals took place on Chuck's second-story deck overlooking the pond. For hours, Chuck would toss a rock into the water, and Petey, would leap after it, retrieve it, and return with eager anticipation for the next throw. It was a simple joy they shared, a quiet rhythm of companionship. After Petey, Chuck welcomed Lily and Lottie into his life-two spirited pups he adored just as deeply.

Chuck and Tammy were avid race car fans. Chuck lovingly restored a 69 Chevrolet Chevelle SS which he raced on weekends at New England Dragway in Epping NH. Together, they crisscrossed the East Coast in their RV, attending NASCAR events from New Hampshire Motor Speedway to Thompson Speedway in CT to the legendary Talladega Superspeedway in AL. For several years, they even held a permanent camping spot at Daytona International Speedway in FL. While visiting Charlotte, NC, Chuck and Tammy had the unforgettable opportunity to meet NASCAR legend Richard Petty.

Chuck was a proud lifelong member of the Fraternal Order of Elks, dedicating many years to the organization and its mission of community service and fellowship. He served with distinction as Exalted Ruler for one term at the Falmouth chapter, where his leadership and commitment were deeply valued. Chuck remained actively involved in the Elks, attending annual conferences and generously volunteering his time across a variety of community initiatives-from supporting Wounded Warrior Rides to helping organizing holiday donation drives that benefited military personnel and their families.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 511 Main Street, Falmouth, on Friday October 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chuck's name to the Falmouth Elks Veterans Fund, 140 Palmer Ave, Falmouth, MA, 02540 or to the Angels Helping Animals organization, 347 County Road, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.