Mark O. Cunningham

Born on April Fool's Day in 1955, Mark Cunningham-(aka Markey-pooh) grew up in Needham Massachusetts, one of four children of the late Owen and Catherine Cunningham. An avid baseball player and fan, he enjoyed his years in Little League and playing for the Varsity baseball team at Needham High School. From an early age, he loved all sports but especially the Boston Red Sox with a passion unrivaled by any fan. In 1967, with his father and brothers, he attended the World Series when the Red Sox played the St Louis Cardinals. Throughout his life, he cherished this memory of the Cunningham boys' sunny afternoon at Fenway Park.

In 1986, when the Red Sox again participated in the World Series, this diehard fan found himself in Japan on a business trip. During that time, he had family and friends tape "every inning of every of game," so he could savor the experience upon his return. They all enjoyed the experience and the deals he was sent to secure were completed during the ride. Mission accomplished.

Needless to say, in October 2004 when the Red Sox clinched the World Series, he was an elated man. To commemorate the occasion, he designed a Red Sox insignia which was tattooed on his shoulder.

After graduating from Needham High School, Mark attended and graduated from St. Anselm's College. During that time, he met his wife and best friend Valerie Yerrington whom he married on May 27, 1978. Parents of three girls, Lauren, 19, Allyson, 17, and Teresa 14, Mark and Val displayed their pride in their children in many ways but ostensibly with their New Hampshire vanity plate: 3Girls. Anyone who met Mark knew that these women, Val and his three girls were the center of his life. He coached their teams, attended their games, and of course, instilled fervor for the Boston Red Sox in each of them.

Mark worked for the U.S. government as a computer specialist, first in Washington, D.C then in Nashua New Hampshire where he and Val returned to raise their family and finally in Gloucester Massachusetts for the Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service.

Five weeks ago this robust, athletic man was diagnosed with advanced stage cancer. Amazingly as the disease ravaged his body, he met adversity with courage and compassion. To his family, his heroic response to suffering epitomizes his strength of character, his unfaltering kindness to others and his faith in God. Over the last month, he bore his pain with dignity and without complaint, worried only about Val and his daughters. In typical fashion, he thought only of others. He never once complained. He thanked every nurse, doctor, aide who tendered care to him and died as he lived, a Christian gentleman to the core.

By the most important measure, Mark Cunningham achieved success. He was, as a noted essayist wrote, one "who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men, and the love of small children; . who has left the world better than he found it, .who always looked for the best in others, and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory is a treasure for all."

Mark leaves his wife Valerie, daughters Lauren, Allyson and Teresa of Manchester NH., his siblings: Edward M. of Philadelphia, Pa.; Mary C. of Quincy, Ma. and Philp M. of Needham Ma. his mother-in-law, Maureen Yerrington, brothers-in-law Ernest and Scott of Manchester NH and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday May 31, 2005 in St. Catherin Church, Webster and Hemlock St. Manchester.

Burial followed in Mt Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center-Dartmouth Hitchcock, Manchester NH in memory of Mark Cunningham.