Sean Howard Cummings

Sean Howard Cummings of Barnstable, MA, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on February 7, 2020 following a long illness. Sean, son of William Gerald Cummings and Constance (Hopkins) Cummings is a direct descendant of the Mayflower Passage. Sean was born in Boston and attended Barnstable High School (1953). At an early age he realized his great good fortune of growing up in the rural setting of a Cape Cod village surrounded by beautiful trees, the blue waters, sandy beaches and the dunes of his beloved Barnstable Harbor. In early 1950 he had an interest in the United States Military Academy at West Point. He received the principal appointment from the Congressman of the 9th Congressional District and entered the USMA class of 1959 on July 5,1955. After graduation he attended Basic Infantry Officers Course followed by Airborne and Ranger training. Serving his country as a 1st lieutenant, he left active duty in the summer of 1962. After leaving the service, he settled in the Boston area working at a private real estate investment firm, GID (General Investment and Development) for over thirty years, retiring in 2001. In retrospect, he always credited West Point for whatever success came his way.

With continual ties to Barnstable Village, he met Suzanne Porter Swift (Buffalo, NY) and they were married in Barnstable in 1965. Their two daughters Lisa and Caroline were his pride and joy. The family resided in Hingham, MA over 33 years and summers were always spent in Barnstable. In the year 2000, Barnstable and the old family homestead became their permanent residence. He was pre-deceased by his parents William G. and Constance (Hopkins) Cummings, and older brother William G. Cummings Jr. (Jerry) and younger sister Faith Cummings. He is survived by wife Suzanne, daughters Lisa Cummings (James Rossman) and Caroline Bassett (Mitch Bassett) and three grandchildren, Eden Rossman and Charlotte and Case Bassett. Sean was very proud of his 13th generation Mayflower heritage and enjoyed reading and recording his maternal ancestry. He was a member of the Massachusetts Mayflower Descendants Society, former Commodore of the Barnstable Yacht Club, Trustee of the Sturgis Library, Member of the Barnstable Historical Society, and the Barnstable Land Trust.

Interment will be private in the Hopkins Family Lot, Lothrop Hill Cemetery (ancient section). A Celebration of Sean's Life and Memorial Service will be held July 9, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 3055 Main Street, Barnstable, MA, followed by a reception at the family home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sturgis Library, PO Box 606, Barnstable, MA, 02630.