Thomas Cunningham

CUYAHOGA FALLS -Thomas E. Cunningham, 53, went to be with our Lord on June 22, 2009. Mr. Cunningham was born in Akron and had resided in Cuyahoga Falls for most of his life. He graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1973 and participated in the high school band and other activities. He worked for Ohio Edison, The All-American Soap Box Derby, and the Boy Scouts of America summer camp. He joined the Boy Scout Troop 303 at Annunciation Church in Akron and won many awards and was part of the Order of the Arrow Ceremonial Dance Team. He enjoyed music and played the piano and tuba. He was also the music director for "The Singing Strings" Tamburitzan Group of Akron and "I Gagliardi Italia" group from Canton. As a member of the Akron Jaycees he was able to travel to national and world conventions. Visiting most of the countries in Europe and Disneyland at least eight times, which was a source of joy for him. He loved politics and was a member of the Democratic Party Board of Elections. His ethnic background was Croation and Gaelic, so he joined the Hibernian Club and the Croation Fraternal Union. Tom's pride was being a member of the Cuyahoga Falls Alumni Band "The Pride". He was the first recipient of the Alumni Band's yearly award. For the last 25 years he has decorated his home on Broad Blvd. for Halloween and played Santa on Christmas Eve and brought happiness to tens of thousands of children and adults. He was a loving son and brother and will be missed dearly.

Preceded in death by his father, Gerald Cunningham and niece, Kim Stalnaker, he is survived by his mother, Josephine M.; brothers, Jerry (Jeannine) of Uniontown and Bruce of Cuyahoga Falls; nephews, Ron (Laurie) and Dave Stalnaker and Brian Petersen; and many aunts and uncles, cousins Also close friends, Lily, Holly, Heather and Ben Sargent.

The Family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 pm Friday at The Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home 1930 Front St. Cuyahoga Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am Saturday in Christ the King Church, 1584 Creighton Ave. Akron, OH 44310, Father Thomas McCann celebrant. In lieu flowers, memorials may be made to Pride Alumni Band c/o Sue Madigan, 2818 S. Park Dr., Silver Lake, OH 44224 and North Akron Catholic Grade School, 1570 Creighton Ave., Akron, OH 44310. Tribute video will be viewable at our funeral home website.

Clifford-Shoemaker, 330-928-2147