Michael M. Cunniff, 84 of Springfield, passed away on November 15, 2023.
Michael Cunniff was a professional lobbyist and spokesman labor operating within the inner circle of Democratic campaign politics as a strategist and organizer. He was an active member of Lamda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He began his career as a railroad clerk for the St.Louis/San Francisco Railway, belonging to BRAC Lodge 149. Mike served as a registered lobbyist and State Legislative Director for the Transportation Communications International Union. Before his retirement, he was field education representative for the TCU Advanced Training Program.
He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church. Graveside services will be in Hazelwood. He served on the boards of the Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Club; Community Foundation of the Ozarks; Family Center; March of Dimes; The Kitchen Inc.; Springfield 2000; and the United Way of the Ozarks Loaned Executive Program. He chaired the first Springfield News-Leader Advisory Board. He served on the Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Labor/ Management Committee; the board of the Missouri AFL/CIO; Springfield Labor Council.
Memorial contributions should be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri or the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, Ala., 36104.
Cemetery arrangements have been made under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.