Obituary of Alexander MacNiven

A celebration and remembrances of Sasha’s life will be held on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the South Ridge Community Church, 7 Pittstown Road, Clinton, NJ.  

 

The MacNiven family is eternally grateful for all of the love and support they have received from family, friends and their community during this incredibly difficult time.  They hope that everyone who was touched by Sasha joins them for this celebration of Sasha’s life.

 

Due to Covid 19, and the associated restrictions on the size of religious gatherings mandated by Governor Murphy, unfortunately, only a limited number of people will be allowed inside the South Ridge Community Church for the service at 11:00 AM.  During the service family members, elderly, or those needing to sit during the service will be given priority seating in the church. We will fill in all remaining available seats once the family and those requiring seating have been seated, up to the maximum capacity allowed. We respectfully ask that all others wishing to participate in the service stand by the main entrance to the church where you will be able to hear the entire service. An opportunity to pay your respects to Sasha and express condolences to the family will begin immediately following the service. 

Given the requirements currently in place governing large gatherings, a mask must be worn at all times.  

 

Please check back on this website as we get closer to the date of the service for any updates to Governor Murphy’s restrictions on indoor seating. 

 

 

Alexander “Sasha” MacNiven, our beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend, left this world unexpectedly at age 23, on June 4, 2020. Sasha was born in Bryansk, Russia on February 27, 1997, where he lived for his first 7 years until we had the privilege of adopting him in February, 2004.  

 

Sasha graduated from North Hunterdon High School in 2015 where he enjoyed being a part of the track team and the Varsity soccer team where he was known as a fierce defender. He loved playing travel soccer, and recreational basketball and baseball with his brother, Noah, and their many close friends. Some of his best memories came from travel soccer where Sasha, Noah and his dad, who coached the team, would spend so many special hours together at practices and games.  Sasha was passionate about anything to do with cars, a passion he shared with his beloved “Pop Pop.” Sasha also loved to cook and often would make up new recipes just to see what he could create.  Sasha went on to attend both Raritan Valley Community College as well as Rowan University where he gained many dear friends.

 

In recent years, Sasha was passionately pursuing his dream, working as an electrical apprentice for Eii Inc. Electrical Contractors, and was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 102 Labor Union. His aspiration was to one day complete his education and become a foreman. 

 

There was no denying that Sasha’s eyes, smile and goofy sense of humor would brighten up a room. His family and friends who were fortunate enough to know him well were blessed to have someone in their life as kind hearted as he was. Sasha would always jump at the chance to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, including friends, family and strangers alike. His selflessness drove him to take time away from pursuing his own dreams when in 2017 he volunteered for several months in Puerto Rico as a part of Disaster Relief to help the locals rebuild what they had lost after the devastation of Hurricane Maria.  As Sasha’s younger brother Caiden would say, “Sasha knew how to take care of everyone.”

 

Sasha was an adventurous, spontaneous and very independent young man who loved to take on any challenge. His deep love for his family, friends, and his long-time girlfriend and partner Alexa Camano and their cat Phoebe was always very evident. Our family and the Camano family grieve together over the loss of this special soul. His beautiful smile and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew him. We will miss him everyday for the rest of our lives.  The pain of his death is heartbreaking.  A special thank you to those who taught him, loved him and guided him.  We pray he may now finally be at peace.

 

He was deeply loved by his parents Bob and Andrea (Ciullo) MacNiven, his siblings Noah, Ana and Caiden, as well as his grandmothers Theresa Kielblock and Barbara MacNiven. He will also be lovingly remembered by his Uncles and Aunts, Joyce Smutko, Chris and Lisa Ciullo, Steve and Tara Heisman, Brad and Kathy MacNiven, Sabrina MacNiven, Brian MacNiven, Kelly MacNiven and Nancy and Ed Iannacone and his cousins Christian Ciullo and his wife Jenn, Austin, Claire and Zachary Ciullo, Tim Kielblock and his wife Lauren, Shane, Alexandra, Bradley, Scott, Alyson, Magnus and Brock MacNiven, Lucas Heisman and Savannah Shepherd. 

 

Welcoming Sasha with open arms are his great-grandmother Ann Pich (“GG”), his grandfathers Paul Kielblock and Robert MacNiven and his Uncle William MacNiven.

 

In lieu of flowers Sasha would have appreciated any donations be made through: In Memory Of at www.inmemof.org/alexander-macniven in support of Second Chance Animal Rescue of Puerto Rico in remembrance and recognition of his passion for helping others and caring for animals.