John J. Cunningham III

He was born in Portland, ME on June 4, 1941 the son of John J. Cunningham, Jr. and Shirley E. (Sears) Cunningham.

John attended Hanover High School, and graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame. He received a Masters in Administration from Columbia University and earned his Doctorate in Education from California Coast University. After graduating from Columbia, he was Director of Admissions at Keene State College for seventeen years, and also served as Assistant Dean of Student Services. He then worked as Assistant to the President, Walter Peterson, at Franklin Pierce College in Rindge for twelve years. He served as Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs at Franklin Pierce College for three years. He later served in advisory capacities at Seminole Point Hospital and Otterbrook Center for Children.

He served on many professional and civic boards and committees. He was chairman of The University System of New Hampshire Admissions Council, Saint Joseph Regional School Board, The Samaritans of Keene, NH, New Hampshire Admissions Consortium, The Community Advisory Council, C & H Health System of the Monadnock Region, Community Advisory Council of Cheshire Medical Center Dartmouth Hitchcock Keene, and the Community Goals Committee.

In addition, he served on the executive boards for the College Entrance Examination Board’s New England Regional Council, the National Council for Catholic Education, New England Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Council for a Healthier Community of Dartmouth Hitchcock Keene, Board of Trustees of Cedarcrest Center and Board of Trustees of Cedarcrest Foundation, Board of Trustees of the Keene Health Alliance, Board of Trustees of Cheshire Health Foundation, Council of Advisors for Cheshire Medical Center Dartmouth Hitchcock Keene, City of Keene Planning Board, and the Keene Public Library Board. He was on the Pastoral Council for St Bernard Church, and served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years.

He had been awarded a number of honors and awards including Outstanding Staff Member of the Year Award chosen by the Student Senate at Franklin Pierce College in 1984, 1987, 1990, 1992, Distinguished Service Award New Hampshire College and University Council, Distinguished Service Award College Entrance Examination Board, Community Service Award Keene Family Y.M.C.A., Academic Honor Societies Phi Delta Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi at Columbia University, Hugh O’Donnell Gold Medal for the Highest Academic Achievement in the Department of Communication Arts at the University of Notre Dame, and Blue Circle Honor Society at the University of Notre Dame.

In his leisure time, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, fishing, gardening, studying history, building models, and watching all sports. He was an especially avid fan of the Notre Dame Football team.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Jane B. (Blandin) Cunningham of Keene; two sons; John J. Cunningham, IV and his wife Kim of Port St. Lucie, FL and Amos B. Cunningham and his wife Vitoria of Cooper City, FL; a daughter Elizabeth C. Dowst and her husband Nathaniel of Newmarket, NH; a brother Frank W. Cunningham and his wife Susan of Orange, CA; two sisters; Shirley A. Aikens and her husband Bob of Douglas, Ontario, Canada and Mary Elizabeth Agee and her husband Bill of Napa Valley, CA; seven grandchildren; John, Karoline, John, Michael, Karlie, Amos, and Sabrina, several nieces and nephews.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Bernard’s Church, 185 Main Street, Keene on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Main Street, Keene. Family and friends are invited to call at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene