Charles Anthony McNiff

Charles Anthony McNiff of New Milford passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on February 7, 2026. Charlie was born in New York City on May 10, 1936, to his dearest mother Della and father Jack. Charlie was the youngest of 6 siblings - Jack, Kevin, Joe, Bill, and Kathleen. As a child, Charlie could always be found at the basketball court at Bishop Dubois High School on 152nd Street in Manhattan. In high school, he was a Rice High School standout Varsity Basketball Player. During this time, he met his bride, Margaret ‘Peggy’ Duffy.

Since they met, Peggy was Charlie’s whole world. Shortly after they met, Charlie enlisted in the United States Navy on March 29, 1956. As a Seaman on the USS Coral Sea, Charlie traveled around the world, primarily spending his time in the Mediterranean Sea until an honorable discharge in March of 1962. 

Charlie and Peggy together had two children, Joann (Kurt) and Scott (Christie), whom they raised in the Bronx. In 1976, they moved to New Milford, New Jersey, to continue to raise their family.

Charlie started working at Fordham University in 1971. During his time at Fordham, he held the titles of Director of Physical Plant and the Director of Residence Halls. Working at Fordham was something that he was always proud of.  He retired in 1999, after 28 years. A large part of his joy at Fordham was the time he got to spend with his daughter as she attended Fordham College and Fordham Law.

While Charlie loved being a father, his greatest joy was becoming a grandfather. Brittney (husband Craig Von der Osten), Scottie, Willie, and Jack lit up his entire world. As they grew up, Grandpa never missed anything. He, along with grandma were always at every gymnastics meet for Brittney and always at the ballfield for the boys' baseball games. The best times with his grandkids were spent on the golf course. Charlie loved golf, and he loved playing with the four of them, his daughter too. Everyone always had clubs, shoes, bags, and gloves - ready to go in the back of the car just in case he wanted to stop at the driving range. He was so proud of all of their accomplishments.

Until the end of his life, Charlie was always surrounded by love and family. To many of the ones closest to him, ‘Chuck’ was everyone's whole world. He leaves behind a legacy and memories that will last a lifetime. From the family house in the Adirondacks, to golf, to Yankee Games, to Webb Avenue, to every local hot dog spot, to Fordham University, and to the walls he and Peggy together created a loving family home.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 28th at 12:00 pm at The Fordham University Church, 2691 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458. 

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