James E. “Jim” McNiff, age 80, passed away peacefully December 23, 2024, at Renaissance Manor in Holyoke after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Jim was born in Holyoke, a son of the late Joseph P. and Cecelia L. (Hardman) McNiff and after high school served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He retired after a long career at the Holyoke Gas & Electric Department. Jim is survived by his loving wife Barbara (Quinn) McNiff, and a brother Russell J. McNiff and his wife Patricia of Holyoke. His brother, Robert died in 2010 and is survived by his wife, Mary (Clifford) McNiff. Jim leaves his many nieces, nephews, and cousins locally, and in the Boston area, Connecticut, Maryland, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia. Jim was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 90, the American Legion Post 325, Disabled American Veterans of American, the Moose Club in Chicopee and a 51-year member of the Holyoke Saint Patrick’s Committee. Special thanks and gratitude to the caring members of the Guardian Angels, Holyoke VNA Hospice, and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for their support and assistance. The funeral will be held on Friday January 3 at 10:30am from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30am in Blessed Sacrament Church. Committal with military honors will be held at 1:00pm in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Calling hours are Thursday January 2 from 4:00 to 6:00pm at the funeral home.