SALEM - Jeffrey P. Laaff, 66, passed away peacefully in his sleep in his cherished historic home near the Salem Common on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Ann K. Laaff with whom he shared 32 years of marriage. He is also survived by loving daughters, Sarah E. Laaff of Washington, DC, and Rachel L. Laaff of Denver, CO, and by his sister, Friedel Laaff of Barcelona, Spain.

Raised in Andover, MA, he was the son of the late George and Marian (Davis) Laaff. He was a graduate of The Pike School in Andover, Pomfret School in CT, and Case Western Reserve University in OH, where he was a proud member of the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity.

Jeff was deeply committed to the historic preservation and restoration of buildings over the course of nearly 30 years. Both professionally and in his own homes, he was proud to contribute to the long-term conservation of traditional New England architecture and history. More recently he owned and operated Brickman's, a decorative hardware store in Waltham, MA.

His other passions included spending time with his family and friends. He was a lifelong tennis player and masterful storyteller. During the course of his illness, he also found great joy in kayaking, traveling with his family, reading, sailing when he had the opportunity, and meticulously restoring the BSA motorcycle he acquired in England in 1965. ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours at the family home on Saturday, August 23rd from 7 to 9 PM and on Sunday, August 24th from 2 to 4 P.M.. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at Temple Emanu-El 393 Atlantic Avenue Marblehead, on Thursday, August 28th at 4 P.M.. Assisting the family with the arrangements is The O'Donnell Funeral Home 46 Washington Sq., (At Salem Common) Salem. Contributions in his memory can be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445 or to Historic Salem, Inc., P.O. Box 865, Salem, MA 01970. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com