"Dad"
In loving memory of
Edward A. Cunningham, Jr
December 26, 1930 - September 10, 2011
Edward A. Cunningham Jr., 80 years of age, of Long Lake, NY, formerly a resident of Oakwold 107 Old Beach Road, Newport, RI, the beloved father of his 9 children and former husband to Dr. Colette L. Cunningham, died peacefully Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 11.30 am surrounded by his family. An avid Adirondack outdoorsman, Mr. Cunningham enjoyed many activities with his family and friends: boating, camping, hunting deer, hiking, fishing, and flying small aircraft. He was an excellent dancer and danced with his youngest daughter just six weeks ago at her wedding. He enjoyed travelinga"having visited many countries around the world. Mr. Cunningham was born in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, New York on December 26, 1930. He grew up on East 220th Street, Bronx, NY. He was the son of the late Edward A. Cunningham, Sr., JD and the late Helen T. Cunningham. Mr. Cunningham is survived by eight childrena"Eamonn A. Cunningham, Newport, RI , Kieran G. Cunningham and his wife Sharon, Middletown, RI, Catriona M. St. George and her husband Roland, Middletown, RI, Brigid A. Venti and her husband Chris, Newport, RI, Cormac J. Cunningham, Newport, RI, Moira G. Maloney and her husband Robert, Portsmouth, RI, Siobhn H. Kern and her husband Gnter, Westport, MA, ine L. Smutzer and her husband Chad, Woburn, MA. He was predeceased by his son Liam Joseph and granddaughter Ruiri Cunningham. He is also survived by his siblingsa"Dr. Ralph P. Cunningham and wife Angie, Peekskill, New York, Jane Mitrovic, Hammonton, NJ, Maureen Tensfeldt and her husband Raymond, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Beatrice Rose Easton and her husband Donald, Camp Hill, PA. He was predeceased by his sister, Helen Blubagh, and his brother John F. Cunningham, Alexandria, VA. Mr. Cunningham is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He is also survived by his step children Tracy Bureau, Queensbury NY, Susan M. Angelo, Loudonville, NY, and Geoff Manganaro, of Rotterdam, NY. Mr. Cunningham graduated from Mount Saint Michaels High School in the Bronx, NY. He then attended Holy Cross College as a pre-law student until he was called to serve in the Korean War during his junior year of college. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant from the U.S. Marine Corps, after serving in the Korean War. Later he met and married Dr. Colette Kieran on September 26, 1957. They were married in St. Marys Church in the Bronx, NY. Mr. Cunningham worked in the casualty insurance business on Wall Street and attended night school to complete his college degree. He began his family life on Mayflower Avenue, in the Bronx, NY. Later he and his wife Dr. Colette Cunningham moved to Pelham Bay, followed by Purdys, NY, then Mahopac, NY. While living in Mahopac, Mr. Cunningham commuted to Wall Street, while his wife Dr. Colette Cunningham commuted to Grasslands Hospital in Valhalla, New York, as an anesthesiologist. Mr. and Dr. Cunningham moved to Newport, RI in 1967 when Mr. Cunningham began working for Allendale Insurance in Johnston, RI and his wife served as the Director of Mental Health at the Newport County Mental Health Center and staff member at the Newport Hospital. In May of 1971 Edward and Colette lost their son, Liam Joseph Cunningham after just three weeks of life. In 1975 Mr. Cunningham moved to New York, after he and his wife Colette divorced, and eventually moved to Monroe, NY with his second wife and step-children, where he commuted every day by train to NYC to work for the brokerage firm Montgomery Collins on Wall Street eventually serving as vice-president. He later retired to Long Lake, NY and then to Indian Lake, NY with his companion Phyllis Williams. He lived his final years in Long Lake, New York with his companion Marge Klevitch. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. A wake will be held at the Memorial Funeral Home on Broadway, Newport, RI on Monday September 19, 2011 from 4pm-8pm. There will be a gravesite service and burial September 20, 2011 at 9.30 am. St. Columbas Cemetery Chapel, Browns Lane, Middletown, RI.
Tributes
"Our father was a man who enjoyed living, especially when he could share that joy with his wife and children. We take with us fond memories of many late-night trips in our iconic 60's Ford Camper Van up to the family's traditional get-away place deep in the Adirondacks Park in upstate NY, and the phenomenal summmer barbecues! Also the good example of a hard working man doing his best to provide us with a privileged childhood. We miss him and look forward to a grand reunion D.V."
"Dear Cunningham Family, I am sure you all may not remember me,I came from Ireland to babysat you all and I sure remember your Dad he was a great man and also your Mom she was very good to me, I think about your family often, may God rest his soul. Helen"
"Hi Helen. Our mother would love to connect with you! Please let us know how we can reach you."
"To all the Cunninghams, my sincere condolences."
"Heartfelt condolences from the New Jersey Easton’s, we will always have fond memories of Uncle Eddie – laughing to Late Night with Johnny Carson, flying in food and gear to the cabin in February to snowbound West Point cadets, catching many pike and freezing them … forever, exchanging vegetable seeds and gardening tips, single-handedly launching his boat while keeping Fetch in line – his joy for the good life will truly be missed. Semper Fi, Marine."
"Being a long-lost grandchild of my grandfather Edward has been a humbling and fortunate experience. Our first moments together were in 2004 up in the mountains. And our last moments were about a month or so before this message; again, where he loved to be the most - in the mountains. This last time around will be my fondest memories of him. We just sat together watching an old-favorite movie of his, searching through old pictures of him, and just talking and spending quality time with him and my family. Although I have much more to learn about him, I know I love him. I hope to hear great stories of him from my father. Just wish we had more time together..."
"Lord, we have commended the spirit of your son & our father, Edward Authur, into your awaiting arms. Peace & Amen."
"Deepest sympathies from the Texas Easton's for the loss of our dear, and great, Uncle Eddie. He was a man of uncommon depth and genuine spirit--I took great joy and pride in occasionally being able to provoke from him that hearty NY Irishman laugh. My special thanks for his good company and kindness in driving my family on several trips to/from Long Lake from nearby airports. His memory will live on in our long, pike-trolling outings and in the image of the rugged captain on a classic wooden boat cruising the northern end of Long Lake. Rest in peace, Uncle Eddie, we’ll miss you."
"Blessings and prayers to Uncle Eddie's family and friends from the Virginia Cunninghams. Uncle Eddie, we will miss you. You were the family "pillar" in Long Lake and the greater Adirondacks. Despite your rugged exterior, you were so kind and gentle to my kids when we would stop by the house to say hi during our summer visits to the Lake. You were synonymous with fishing and Adirondack outdoorsmanship. Thank you for your service to country, rest in peace."
"Siobhan, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. May God strenghten you and hold you in the palm of his hand. I'm sure your father is at peace and in a better place. God bless you."
"Siobhan & Family: I am truly sorry to hear of the passing of your father. My every sympathy to you all. I truly hope good memories are able to sustain you all through the difficult moments. You all remain in my thoughts. Our love to you all, Chris & Isabelle"
"Siobhan, So sorry to hear of your father's passing. My sincere and deepest condolences to you and your family."
"Siobhan & Gunter we are so very saddened at the passing of your father. Our prayers go out to you and your entire family. Neil & Carolyn"
"Siobhan, my deepest condolences for your loss."