Roger Cunningham

Roger G. Cunningham, 66, of Manhattan, NY, passed away at NY Presbyterian Hospital on February 8th, 2013 surrounded by his family. Born in Queens, NY on September 1, 1946, Roger was the youngest of four children of the late George Cunningham and Wanda Cunningham (nee Kozakiewicz). After graduating from Fordham University, he proudly served in the U.S. Army with distinction and valor as a sergeant in the Vietnam War, for which we was awarded the Bronze Star. After retiring from a 30-year long career at Citibank, he was able to travel widely, spend time with his beloved friends and family, and take more wonderful photographs than anyone would think possible. Roger found his spiritual path in the study of Zen Buddhism, and was a proud and active member of AA for more than 20 years.

Roger is survived by his only daughter, Dr. Suzanne Cunningham, of Westborough, MA; his partner of 29 years, Carolyn; his two sisters, Lynne Buchholz of Sarasota, FL, and Pamela Merk of Portland, OR, and several nieces, nephews, and friends, all of whom adore him and will miss him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his honor to Defenders of Wildlife, www.defenders.org

Tributes

There are no words to describe what a great man my father was, and how much he will be missed. He was the most loving, devoted and generous dad that anyone could ever hope for, bar none. He was a pillar of strength and support, and the best possible role model of overcoming fear and vice, living life to the fullest, loving openly, making others laugh, and giving freely of yourself. He had a huge heart and was outrageously funny, wildly inappropriate, brilliant, soulful, wise, generous, and adored by children and animals. He was also the scariest driver to ever sit behind the wheel of a car, and a master of painfully bad puns, which he proudly touted as the lowest form of humor… My father was a larger than life, amazing man and I learned far more from him about life than I did in the millennia of schooling he supported me through.

My dad was particularly fond of the saying that “There is no arrival, only the journey”. Though it is gut-wrenchingly painful to lose him this prematurely, I take solace in the fact that he truly lived his life to the fullest and without regrets, and he would want us all to do the same.

I will let the following pictures and sentiments shared about my dad speak for themselves.

-Sue Cunningham

What Uncle Roger meant to me…

I’m honored to have known such a great man.

He became a father figure to me after my dad died.

There’s nothing that can compare to a hug from Uncle Roger.

He went “all in” on everything he did:

He took more pictures than was necessary.

He played more video games than anyone should.

He traveled to farther away places than most people did.

He spoke louder than everyone else.

He worked harder than he should have.

He ate more steak than he should have.

He had more vices than he wanted, but he recovered from them uncompromisingly.

He offered opinions right and wrong about all topics.

He loved his family:

Carolyn- People talk about life partners; I think Roger invented the concept.

Suzanne- he was so proud of his daughter, but he never boasted or bragged- you could just see it in his eyes when he talked about Suzanne how much he loved her.

His sisters- he made a real commitment to be the brother that any of us would want.

His commitment to come and see my mom on an annual basis after my father died, was unequivocally the best thing anyone could do for my mom.

Roger and I did not talk often, but when we did, I had his undivided attention.

He always supported me, and I always looked forward to seeing him.

He was the glue that kept a lot of us together without knowing it.

I know he touched so many people in so many different ways- I’m merely telling you how he touched me.

I loved Uncle Roger and will miss him dearly. He was truly a great man, father, partner, brother, son, and Uncle.

-Eric Merk

“I just want to tell you my true feelings - THIS SUCKS. I won't bore you with platitudes because they aren't true. You will be unbearably sad for a while. There are no rules to grieving- it's hell and you are entitled to your own version. The only silver lining is that the reason you are so sad and mad is because he was a one in a million rascal. I still feel terribly grateful that he decided to grace us with his presence in the summers. It was so good for my mom and me and Jeff and my kids. I was always amazed at the size of his heart and his willingness to share it. Roger demonstrated his love which was a good lesson for me to learn. Say it loud and say it often and share the world according to Roger while you are at it. There was no doubt how much he loved you two and how proud and honored he was to be bracketed with two amazing women. I myself am proud and honored to be bracketed with him, and to call him family.”

-Jenny Krenek

“I can't imagine the heartache you must feel with your dad moving on way to early...I can't even begin to imagine. I know how much you loved each other, that was easy for anyone to see. I keep thinking about all the great times we had....I used to get so excited when we would get to see you guys! I have two daughters and I hope that when they grow up my relationship with them is like the one you have with your dad...I always admired how close you were….”

-Eddie Buchholz

“I am so sorry, and so, so sad. My heart actually hurts. It doesn't seem possible that someone so larger than life could actually die. My thoughts and prayers are with you both, as they have been the last few days.

I am very grateful that Roger was willing to make the effort to come here all these years, and that my kids and grandkids were able to get to know and love him. There will be a lot of sad kids on the West Coast tonight!

He claimed not to like people in general, but those of us who were lucky enough to be loved by him will never forget him, or how good that love made us feel….”

-Pamela Merk