RIP Dollardite, John R. Cunningham … Vietnam Veteran - Online Guest Book Link Added
Some very sad news, fellow Dollardites. Yesterday I asked in Deep Thoughts if anyone had seen/heard from John Cunningham. Apparently I wasn’t the only one thinking about the kind man. We all know he had a major health issue he was battling. It seems the Good Lord wanted him Home, and opened the door for John to enter His Kingdom.
Our deepest thoughts and prayers go to John Cunningham and his family and friends. He was a loyal reader and commenter to patdollard.com. I am sure he was just as loyal and committed a friend and family member to those he loved, and those who loved him. As I recall, John had been a taxi-driver in Philly. He ALWAYS had an interesting story about his “Philly adventures”.
He will be sorely missed by us.
God Bless, John Cunningham. Thank you for your selfless service to our nation, and thanks for sharing a small part of your life with us here …
John Robert Cunningham, 60, of Haverford, a Bronze Star Vietnam War veteran and a former National Guardsman, died of liver cancer July 8 at the Veterans Affairs Nursing Home in Philadelphia, where he had been since June.
He was born in Darby, grew up in Ardmore, and graduated from Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Md.
Mr. Cunningham was drafted into the Army in 1967, and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He received a Bronze Medal with a V for valor after providing aid to injured fellow soldiers during an intense firefight.
After his discharge in 1972, Mr. Cunningham worked briefly as a taxi driver in Philadelphia before relocating to Buffalo. It was there he served with the New York Army National Guard from 1984 to 1994. He also worked for many years as a personal care aide.
Mr. Cunningham had a taste for opera and classical music. He was a regular at concerts of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Mr. Cunningham was also a talented woodworker with a knack for restoring furniture.
He is survived by his mother, Rosemary Cunningham; sisters Jaclyn, Karen, Rosemary, Anne Marie and Patricia Rathbone; brother Joseph; and nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Denis Church, Eagle Road and St. Denis Lane, Havertown. Friends may call at 9:30. Interment will follow in St. Denis Cemetery.
John’s last communication with us was in June 1, 2008 Deep Thoughts thread:
John Cunningham
For a while I’m going to be very quiet. Last Tuesday they prescribed the tumor drug and the edema drug. My feet and stomach have blown up very large. Had to go to the VA to pick up the tumor drug, they will not mail it because of the value, $6000 a month and not even my sneakers without the laces allowed my feet to fit. Thank God I get the money I do from the VA I was able to take a taxi back and forth but had to go in my bare feet. The edema drug has begun to work. My feet were so bloated I couldn’t even move my toes. Three days ago I noticed I can wiggle my toes and move both my ankles. Everything hurts to move but at that rate of the improvement of the toes and the ankles it seems it will mop up all the other shit that has accumulated in the muscles. Not that I had that much to begin with. I guess by blood tests they’ll figure if the tumor drug is working and that will determine how long I’ll be taking it. I’ve picked up one of the side affects, it’s the fatigue one. Can sit up about three hours but then have to go lay down for about an hour and re-charge. First thing after the re-charge is to check what you all have been up to.
Thanks to Steve in NC for tracking this down for me …
Online Guest Book Link To Leave Condolences
(Again … Thanks, Steve/NC)
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RIP John. Save a beer and chair for me.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:29 amRest in Peace noble warrior
July 19th, 2008 at 6:31 amthat is some very sad news and i will and already have missed him being around here.
Rest in Peace John. thank you for your service
July 19th, 2008 at 6:44 amRest in peace John.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:45 amDamn that sucks. John, God bless you man. RIP
July 19th, 2008 at 6:45 amMy thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:50 amGod Bless you John, you will be missed.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:51 amrest in peace johnny boy, and we’ll pray for you and family.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:53 amSad news. We’ll miss John. Prayers for his family.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:53 amGo with God sir.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:57 amBad news. RIP, John.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:58 amMay the Lord wrap you in His loving arms and give you peace.
Rest well brother, see you again.
July 19th, 2008 at 7:00 amJohn, rest in peace, I love you Man
July 19th, 2008 at 7:14 amI remember John mentioning that he as not much of a church goer. He did not look to organized religion for his spiritual fulfillment. I know that he did enjoy this, known as the Cowboys Prayer.
Lord, I’ve never lived where churches grow
I loved creation better as it stood
That day you finished it so long ago
And looked upon your work and called it good
I know that others find you in the light
That sifted down through tinted window panes
And yet I seem to feel you near tonight
In this dim, quiet starlight on the plains
I thank you, Lord, that I’m placed so well
That you’ve made my freedom so complete
That I’m no slave to whistle, clock or bell
Nor weak eyed prisoner of Waller Street
Just let me live my life as I’ve begun
And give me work that’s open to the sky
Make me a partner of the wind and sun
And I won’t ask a life that’s soft or high
Let me be easy on the man that’s down
Let me be square and generous with all
I’m careless sometimes, Lord, when I’m in town
But never let them say I’m mean or small
Make me as big and open as the plains
And honest as the horse between my knees
Clean as a wind that blows behind the rains
Free as the hawk that circles down the breeze
Forgive me, Lord, if sometimes I forget
You know about the reasons that are hid
You understand the things that gall or fret
Well, you knew me better than my mother did
Just keep an eye on all that’s done or said
And right me sometimes when I turn aside
And guide me on that long, dim trail ahead
That stretched upward toward the great divide
….
July 19th, 2008 at 7:25 amJohnny Cash performs it on his American Recordings album.
RIP Mr. Cunningham, we’ll defend America on your behalf as well!
July 19th, 2008 at 7:27 amJohn had great posts. Another patriot has gone. He’ll be missed.
July 19th, 2008 at 7:51 amI’m very sadden, God bless!
July 19th, 2008 at 7:55 amPS, it’s like losing a friend.
July 19th, 2008 at 7:56 amRest in peace. Thank you for your service.
July 19th, 2008 at 7:56 amRIP Mr. Cunningham, God Bless you.
*salute*
July 19th, 2008 at 8:09 amThe LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD
Forever.
May God bless your family in your eternal absence, sir.
July 19th, 2008 at 8:18 amThank you, Sir, and your family for your service.
July 19th, 2008 at 8:35 amThank you for your service to our great and wonderful country Mr. Cunningham.
July 19th, 2008 at 8:45 amMay the smile of God light you to glory.
Rest in peace.
Rest well Mr. Cunningham
July 19th, 2008 at 8:59 amGodspeed John, you will be missed.
In the spirit of a good Irish wake let’s all raise a glass and salute a true patriot
Semper Fi John!
July 19th, 2008 at 9:10 amRIP John, fighter of many good fights. I didn’t get the chance to share many comments with you, but your name was one of the first I remember when I was directed to this site in April 2007. (Franchie, Dan (the Infidel), Drillanwr, Steve in NC, and Goodnight Natalie were some of the others. Oh, and Rumsfeld 47. Anyone hear from him lately?)
Regarding John’s June 1 deep thoughts, I swear I came across one of John’s comments no more than 4 weeks ago.
July 19th, 2008 at 9:24 amGod Speed John. May God watch over you and your family. RIP.
July 19th, 2008 at 9:32 amSorry to lose a Fellow Dollarite
RIP John.
July 19th, 2008 at 9:54 amSad news for us but wonderful for the Lord in his latest addition. RIP John and we will hold the Fort until we join you.
July 19th, 2008 at 9:58 amThank you for your service. My prayers go out to his family. Rest in peace, God bless.
July 19th, 2008 at 10:25 amJohn, We´ll see you ¨further on up the road.¨
July 19th, 2008 at 10:35 amGod bless, I’m certain you’re in a better place now. Given the time served in the Army, he really saw some serious combat. He accomplished one of the most noble of act anyone in combat can: saving wounded comrades.
July 19th, 2008 at 10:42 amRest now John, let us carry the burden from here.
One for the road sir.
July 19th, 2008 at 11:12 amSafe journey.
Damn. I wondered why John hasn’t been around. I was able to meet him in person at the Times Square Recruiting Station protest after it was bombed.
Great guy. He will be missed.
Rest in peace, brother.
July 19th, 2008 at 11:15 amRest in peace John. Its sad to see a good man go.
July 19th, 2008 at 11:17 amI wanted to bring that piece of John here :
- eheh, John, haven’t you got a cat ?
John Cunningham Says:
Nomad, (franchie) yes, my dear little cat. Before I moved to where I am now two and a half years ago, a nice part of town, I was living in a not so nice part of town. So me and my little ghetto girl have moved up town. Ever seen a cat go out for a walk on a leash? I call her my little puppy cat.
- la belle et la bête (the beauty and the beast) a reverse image
John Cunningham Says:
Nomad, we are an item. When I found her she had been abandoned. It took two attempts to get her home. When I got her home I found out why she had been abandoned, she was pregnant. That’s the type of neighborhood we lived in. I got her an abortion and a hysterectomy and three months later we were out of there. That other neighborhood was not the way I remembered it from when I left for Buffalo in ‘81. It turned into over the next 23 years the type of neighborhood that when the sun went down you didn’t go outside. But, we don’t have to worry about that stuff anymore.
- hehe, “one who is good to animals can’t be a bad man” french proverb
John Cunningham Says:
Nomad, merci very beaucoup.
- “merci beaucoup” is sufficient , “beaucoup” is for “very”
John Cunningham Says:
Nomad, I know little French, only two years in high school. It was my way of emphasizing very. My way of saying thank you very, very much.
- hehe, you know how I appreciate your personal way of making “litterature”
July 19th, 2008 at 11:24 amRIP John - you deserve it.
July 19th, 2008 at 11:47 amGod blesses your soul John. Keep reading the posts.
July 19th, 2008 at 12:27 pmI really enjoyed his comments and am sad to hear this news! Godspeed to his family.
July 19th, 2008 at 12:53 pmPeace Brother, tell our people, those on the wall and the others gone on that we are keeping the faith and our duty to the young warriors here today is that they will not be treated as we were. Until we meet in Fiddler’s Green, Garry Owen!
July 19th, 2008 at 12:58 pmSee ya on the other side. God Bless.
July 19th, 2008 at 1:12 pmRest In Peace Mr.Cunningham.You have touched us all and we are blessed for it.
July 19th, 2008 at 1:23 pmFYI.. If any Dollardheads would like to send a donation in the name of John or a note to the family.
July 19th, 2008 at 1:25 pmVery sorry to hear. God speed soldier!
July 19th, 2008 at 1:32 pmCan’t come to Dollard Nation to often anymore these days. I missed his post where he explained about his health problems.
Drill mentioned his appearent “MIA” only yesterday and today I read that he has passed away.
Personally I found him a great back-up whenever I “opened my mouth” and he gave me confidence.
I can’t say anything more, to many emotions right now, except:
Why are those who are so important and so respected by what they are taken from us too soon????
(Am listening to “The requime” from Band of Brothers. Can’t think of any better way to commemorate John.)
July 19th, 2008 at 1:36 pm(Am listening to “The requime” from Band of Brothers. Can’t think of any better way to commemorate John.)
Excellent choice for John!
I am posting it in videos …
July 19th, 2008 at 2:16 pmI thought or hoped he would pull through. RIP, John Cunningham I miss you already.
July 19th, 2008 at 2:32 pm“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”
July 19th, 2008 at 2:51 pm- General George S. Patton, Jr
From what I knew of John, which is from what I read here at Pat’s site over the last year or so, John was a kind, caring and patriotic man…a real American.
Rest in peace John, you’ve more than earned it.
PS - I wonder what John would have thought of one of my favorites:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2VD1SqWQXrE
July 19th, 2008 at 2:52 pmThank you Mr. Cunningham. Bless you and your family.
July 19th, 2008 at 3:19 pmRest in peace my Brother!!!
July 19th, 2008 at 4:19 pm“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”
- General George S. Patton, Jr
There is nothing better to say. I will thank God tonight for blessing this planet with your presence. Rest in peace brother, we’ll carry your pack from here.
July 19th, 2008 at 4:26 pm“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mystery.” Albert Einstein
You’re one up on us, John. You know the full meaning of that famous Biblical quote that delighted Shakespeare: “O death, where is thy sting?”
July 19th, 2008 at 4:59 pmBlessed be his memory.
July 19th, 2008 at 5:00 pmDear John,
July 19th, 2008 at 5:28 pmTell our fathers we love them.
RIP and thanks for serving
July 19th, 2008 at 5:28 pm_____________________________
Thanks for John’s guestbook link.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:13 pmThanks Mike3481,
To evryone, please hit the guestbook. I would love to fill it up for his family to see.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:20 pmGood Man, Rip John
July 19th, 2008 at 6:28 pmJon, sorry to see you go. May your next phase of eternity be a blessing to you.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:45 pmMy heart is heavy. I felt like I knew him. Rest in peace, John Cunningham.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:47 pmPlease leave a message there also …
I tried to include the link to this topic thread for John Cunningham, but it would not allow it.
I hope when John’s family sees the end results of the guest book, they also see the many mentions of patdollard.com in our signatures, and know how much John’s knowledge and opinions were greatly appreciated.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:52 pmdrill, I just now read your comment at John’s guestbook.
I’m not sure why, but I feel compelled to say, Thank You.
In this instance, I’m not sure if the “beer icon” is appropriate…
Well, I guess during a wake it would be,
July 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pmI want to smash something… I want to be angry at God because life is not fair… I want to never admire another human being enough to ever have to feel this way again…
I greatly admired John Cunningham, I could say a great deal about how so often through his words of encouragement he inspired me to keep going, The man was a personal hero of mine… Right now I need time to digest his passing and reflect on the good times we all shared…
July 19th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
July 19th, 2008 at 10:47 pmhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=pDXHYCpOb8I
July 19th, 2008 at 10:52 pmVery sad news…RIP John
July 19th, 2008 at 11:36 pmI will miss your insight and views John. RIP and god bless.
July 19th, 2008 at 11:54 pmRIP John, We were all blessed with your company, and will be again someday.
July 20th, 2008 at 12:55 amrip and thank you
July 20th, 2008 at 2:21 amwow..thank you John for sharing a small part of your life with us…R.I.P
July 20th, 2008 at 3:59 amThank you sir for your service to this country. God bless and keep you.
July 20th, 2008 at 4:07 amR.I.P john
July 20th, 2008 at 4:43 amJohn:
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Thanks for everything…
July 20th, 2008 at 8:31 amFarewell, Brother. The Angels sing the best opera anyway.
July 20th, 2008 at 11:02 amRIP Warrior. Salute.
July 20th, 2008 at 11:52 amRest in peace, John. God bless your family and may he welcome you into His Kingdom.
July 20th, 2008 at 12:41 pmI am terribly saddend by the news. You will be greatly missed Mr. Cunningham. God bless you and your family.
July 20th, 2008 at 5:49 pmJohn, I’m sure now you are enjoying eternal freedom, never to be interrupted by pain, war, or grief. Thank you for fighting for freedom here on this side. May God bless your family and friends, and comfort them with the knowledge that you will see them again some day.
July 20th, 2008 at 7:34 pmI rarely make comments but come to the website more than once a day to read and have appreciated everyone so much, John Cunningham, among them. I will miss his insight. There has been so much saddness this year with the loss of so many good people who have loved and fought for freedom and the Constitution we hold dear, including my father a WWII veteran. My greatest joy is we will see all on the other side and I am proud of all who protect and serve. May God be with John’s family and know he is in God’s loving hand waiting for them.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:03 pmhaving grown up in Buffalo it was nice to have someone to to talk to about it. rest in peace.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:26 pmMidnight, Pacific Daylight Time.
____________________________________________
Alright, at the risk of being a jerk, I’ve got to say it’s a bit disappointing that there aren’t more than 23 people who have signed John’s online guest-book at the funeral home.
The link’s just above this comment thread.
———————————————
A personal note…I know what it’s like for the family of the deceased, when friends and or acquaintances of the deceased don’t bother to recognize his or her passing. It’s a slight that never goes away.
Yes, John’s family probably doesn’t know of us, yet if they did know of us by way of signing the guest book, John’s family will never forget.
Dollardites…step-up…please.
July 20th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
mike3481
July 21st, 2008 at 3:31 amI am disappointed also.
RIP….Latte
July 21st, 2008 at 5:52 amI signed, but forgot to add my handle and patdollard.com.
July 21st, 2008 at 6:28 amRest in peace American hero.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:59 amR.I.P JOHN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY!
July 21st, 2008 at 9:50 amRIP and thank you for your service.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:44 amrequiescat in pace
Goodness. I’ve been out of sorts lately. Just lost a good friend aged 47 yrs, now this. When the Lord see’s you’ve finished his work he wanted you to do here, he brings you home. See you on the other side soldier.
God Bless.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:45 pmI am very sad to read this news.
I always enjoyed reading John’s comments. I so missed seeing them when he did not post as often as usual. I am thankful for his service and for sharing his views and life here with us. John was a straight forward and decent man.
R.I.P. John ~ until we all meet again. God bless you.
Prayers of support and comfort for your loved ones.
July 27th, 2008 at 6:22 pmI didn’t see this before, and didn’t know of his passing until a couple of weeks ago.
RIP.
September 1st, 2008 at 9:55 pm*Taps*
September 1st, 2008 at 10:00 pm