John Cunningham

John Cunningham, 69, of Lansdale, entered into eternal life on Thursday, March 17, 2016. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and family at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pa. He was the loving husband of Joan (DiCola) Cunningham and would have celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary in September.


John was born on June 6, 1946 in Lansdale where he was a long-time resident. He was a son of the late Agnes (Curley) and John J. Cunningham, Sr. John graduated from Lansdale Catholic High School where he was a multisport athlete, playing basketball, football and baseball. His most fond memory of high school was being a part of a basketball team that brought "LC to the championship" in his Senior year under Coach Jim Lynam. John went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in Biology from Delaware Valley College where he also competed in basketball and baseball. After graduating from college, he was drafted into the US Army where he served his country honorably during the Vietnam War.

John's interest in sports followed him throughout his lifetime. He played baseball for the Perkiomen Valley Twilight League and helped to win the Perky League Championship in 1990. He was a referee for CYO basketball games and coached his son's TYA basketball and soccer teams. Most recently, he enjoyed being part of a spring/summer golf league along with owning Standardbred horses that race at the Meadowlands, Harrah's and Mohegan Sun. John was also an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles as well as Notre Dame football ("Go Irish").

Mr. Cunningham was employed with Merck and Co., Inc. for over 30 years, working his way up to Director of Laboratory Resources within the Research Division. He met his wife, Joan, at Merck and they married in September 1991. In 2005, they traveled to Russia to adopt their youngest son, Sasha.

Although John's interests revolved around sports, his passion was his family. He always looked forward to spending time together at their shore house where they would go boating, fishing or cruising around the bay at sunset. Many heartwarming memories were made from vacations to the Caribbean, Marco Island and Disneyworld.

John was respected and loved not only by family but by many friends. Most people will remember John as a good man who always found a way to make someone smile or laugh. He enjoyed family gatherings and shared many happy occasions with his friends. He was a man whose favorite motto was 'I'm here to serve' and wouldn't hesitate to help someone in whatever way he could. John was a strong but humble man whose 'give' was from his heart.


Besides his wife, Joan, survivors include his sons, Todd Frame (Julie) of Schwenksville, and Sasha Cunningham of Lansdale; and three siblings, Marie Vincent (Neil) of Souderton, Gerard Cunningham (Alice) of Silverdale, and Lisa Keller (Marlon) of Lansdale.


Relatives and friends may call between 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. Monday, March 28, 2016 at St. Stanislaus Church, 51 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private in St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont. Arrangements are by the Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale.


In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Mr. Cunningham's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.