COL Patrick J. Cunningham

Patrick John Cunningham was born April 2, 1938 to Cecil and Grace Cunningham. He died on March 24, 2017.

Pat graduated from Canisius College in 1959 with a degree in Sociology and a commission in the Unites States Army. In the 58 years since graduating, he has served his country, community, family, and God.

Pat spent 30 years in the Army, retiring as a Colonel. He received numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal. His Army career drew to a close with his final assignment at Fort Ben Harrison in Indianapolis, IN. It was during those years that he became hooked on Indy Cars. He went to 30 Indy 500s and fully intended to be at this year's race. He’ll be there. Now, he’ll have an even better seat.

After retiring, he moved back home to Buffalo. While we have no proof, we suspect Pat and Sheila may be the only people who have ever retired and moved to Buffalo.

Along with being close to family again, the move to Buffalo reaped another blessing: a second career. Pat started working as the Executive Director at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Servicemen's Park in 1993. The life-long soldier got an office on a ship.

In addition to being dedicated to his career, Pat was an active volunteer in…well, Sheila would say “everything”…but most recently Boy Scouts, Rotary, MOAA, and St. Pius X in Getzville. He was also a proud high school football and basketball referee, and a little league baseball umpire. In other words, he didn’t have to be popular with the crowd to feel accomplished.

This is what he did but not who he was.

Whenever someone passes away, everyone talks about how great he was or how loved she was because, honestly, no one wants to speak ill of the dead. But, there are people out there who are genuinely worthy of such praise. People of honor. Men and women who live their lives by a code. Those for whom phrases like 'God, Family, Country' aren't just bumper stickers, but a way of life. Those who give of themselves, not for a reward, but because it's simply the right thing to do. People who volunteer because there's simply a need.

Who was Pat? He was a good man.

Every morning when he left the house for work, Sheila would say, "Have a good day." And Pat would respond, "All days are good days. Some are just better than others." Every. Morning.

At the dinner table, he would ask his children, "What did you do for your country today?" He would ask their friends when they called, "What did you do for your country today?" He regularly asked his grandchildren, "What did you do for your country today?" It instilled a sense of service in each of us. And since we knew the question was coming, we thought through our days looking for worthy responses. In all honesty, sometimes we had paltry responses but other times the answers were more substantial. The question helped us to live more intentionally.

It would be hard to find a man who persevered more…who never gave up. Many people knew of the health problems he has had over the last several years and witnessed that perseverance. Few knew all of his health problems. If asked, he said he was “Fine. Great!” He never gave up. Never. Never. Never.

People move on. Their works remain. Pat dedicated his life to the service of his family and he deposited in each child and grandchild the best of himself, the gift of his example, the legacy of service and integrity.

Pat was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Sheila. He is survived by his daughters Colleen (Scott) Burns and Kathleen (Rob) Kappel, his sons Michael (Pam), Sean (Michelle), and Patrick (Christina), 14 grandchildren, Andrew, Scout, Victoria, Eric, Kyle, Ryan, Reilly, Timothy, Matthew, Samuel, Alexandra, Molly, Parker, and Elsin. He is also survived by his brother the Most Reverend Robert Cunningham, his sister Eileen (Ronald) Korn, and his sister-in-law Dolores Shivens. Friends may call Sunday 4-7 pm and Monday 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the Dengler Roberts Perna Funeral Home 8630 Transit Rd., East Amherst. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial from St. Pius X RC Church 1700 N. French Rd., Getzville, New York Tuesday at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Buffalo Naval Park. Colonel, we wish you fair winds and following seas.