Robert H. Cunningham

DANVERS- Robert H. (Bob) Cunningham died April 13, 2015 following a courageous and lengthy battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Bob was the beloved husband of Margaret (Casey) Cunningham with whom he shared 27 years of marriage. He was predeceased by his first wife Ann (Bednarski) with whom he shared 46 years of marriage. Born and raised in North Andover Mass, he was one of six children born to Edwin and Elizabeth (Lamb) Cunningham. He attended the North Andover public schools graduating from Johnson High School in 1940 where he was an outstanding student and athlete. He served honorably in the US Navy during World War II. His four brothers also served in various branches of the military at the same time. The family treasures press clippings and pictures of the five Cunningham brothers in uniform which appeared in area newspapers at the time. Bob was employed in the purchasing department of CBS Hytron in Danvers for several years before embarking on a long and successful career as a salesman selling industrial grinding tools and machine parts. In later years he secured a position with the United States Postal Service where he worked until his retirement in 1985. He was a sports fan all of his life and an especially avid fan of the New England Patriots. He was an outstanding golfer playing regularly at “Salem Muni” with his fellow Dube’s golf league friends. Nicknamed “Cat” for his quickness and agility on the course, he played golf into his late 80’s carding his only hole in one at age 70. Bob loved his family and was always interested and extremely proud of the athletic, academic and workplace accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was loved and will be missed by his family and will always be greatly admired for his remarkable courage and strength as he battled debilitating illness in the past few years. In addition to his parents and his first wife, Ann, he was predeceased by his son, Bobby, his sister, Catherine, his four brothers, James, George, John and Edwin. He is survived by his wife Margaret, his daughters, Elizabeth Pelletier of Brentwood, NH, Kathleen Wilson and her husband Robert of Danvers, daughter-in-law, Sally Cunningham of Hampton, NH, stepdaughters, Eileen Gilbert of Methuen, Sheila Cunningham of Lawrence, and Barbara Fleming and her husband Brian of Townsend, his brother-in-law, Norman Morrisette, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30AM on Friday, April 17, 2015 in Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Lake St., Peabody. Visiting hours will be held prior to the Mass on Friday from 10AM-11:15AM at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers.