John J. Cunningham

Albany – John Joseph Cunningham, 85, passed away peacefully at the Teresian House in Albany on June 24, 2016. The son of the late Frank J. and Louise (Lynch) Cunningham, John was born on July 26, 1930 in Mechanicville, NY. He graduated from Siena College with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics in 1953. After graduation he honorably and faithfully served his country in the US Army. When he returned from the service he graduated in the top of his class from Albany Law School. John then married the love of his life, Shirley Gray. As a new lawyer he was hired at the highly respected Halter, Sullivan, and Rehfuss Law Firm. John was a talented lawyer specializing in worker's compensation cases. Through hard work and dedication he became a full partner and the firm became known as Sullivan, Rehfuss, Cunningham and Brennan.
John was a loyal Democrat. During his stint as co-chairman of the Guilderland Democratic Committee the Party was finally successful in getting the first Democrat elected in Guilderland in 98 years. This opened the door to Guilderland becoming a Democratic stronghold ever since.
John and his family enjoyed active membership in Albany Country Club for over twenty-five years. John had a strong faith and was a communicant of Christ the King Church in Guilderland.
John was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and as a great storyteller, and was often sought after to be a Master of Ceremonies. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Shirley Gray Cunningham; his sons: John "Jack" Cunningham and Brian (Kristina) Cunningham; his grandson, Christopher John Cunningham; his siblings: Robert (Trudy) Cunningham and Mary Ellen Kalled and several nieces, nephews, and friends. He is also survived by long time special friends: Jim and Nancy Green and Gus and Tina Yavis.
In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his brother Peter F. Cunningham, his daughter-in-law Phyllis Cunningham and his brother and sister-in-law George and Kathy Frokedal.
Visitation will be from 4 pm to 7 pm on Tuesday, June 28 at New Comer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, June 29 at Christ the King Church, Guilderland. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.
John's family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Eric Krausner and nurse Lindsey of the Albany Memorial Wound Care Center and nurse Denise Plumadore and aides: Chrysta, Angel and Adaila at the Teresian House for their compassionate and loving care.
Memorial donations may be made in John's name to St. Gabriel's in Fontaine, Haiti a school run by a Siena College graduate - Friends of Fontaine, Inc. PO Box 11376, Albany, NY 12211.