John Russell Cunniff passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Holyoke Medical Center after a brief illness. John was born on September 21, 1938, in Holyoke, the son of John R. Cunniff and Lilian Russell. John graduated from St. Jerome High School and the College of the Holy Cross, and received additional degrees from Elm’s College and Westfield State University. For forty-one years, he taught at Holyoke High School, where he was the chair of the history department, a faculty adviser, and golf coach. John was a faithful longtime parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church. He had a deep passion for golf and in his retirement spent many hours playing with the other “Wild Geese” at the Holyoke Country Club. When he wasn’t on the links, he served as treasurer for the Elks Club and the Ancient Order of Hibernians; he also loved skiing and gardening, was an avid reader, and enjoyed touring several Civil War battlefields. He leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Ann (Gaughan); his daughters Beth (James) Verrilli and Maura (John) Crowley; his son, John Cunniff; his grandchildren Nathan Verrilli, Megan (Mitchell) Martin, Allison Verrilli, and Erin Crowley; sisters-in-law Joan Brennan and Teresa Gula; and several cousins with a special thank you to Bebe Zaniboni for all her kindness. He was predeceased by his sister Ann and her husband Ralph von Ecker and his brothers-in-law Ralph Brennan and Richard Gula. Family and friends are invited to meet for a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 10:00am in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street. Burial will follow in Saint Jerome Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street. Donations can be made in John’s memory to Blessed Sacrament Parish, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.