Thomas Edward Cunningham

Thomas E. Cunningham, a man of grit, humor, and a heart for service, passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with health issues. He was 73.

Born on September 10, 1952, in the Mill Basin neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, to the late Raymond and Madeline (Molloy) Cunningham, Tom’s early years in the city shaped the authentic, straight-shooting, and salt-of-the-earth character his friends and family knew and loved.

In 1977, after helping his sister move, Tom stopped to visit friends who had already relocated to Texas. Enticed by the local softball leagues, the lively community, and the inevitable shenanigans, he decided to join the fun. He traded the Brooklyn streets for Texas hospitality and never looked back, eventually finding the love of his life in 1980 through his circle of friends. Tom built a successful career in the beverage and snack industry, working for Coca-Cola, Pepsi, 7UP and Pro Snax, before successfully running his own business as a snack salesman until his retirement.

To Tom, "work hard, play hard" wasn't just a phrase; it was a way of life. He was a natural handyman who could fix just about anything—except the plumbing—and took immense pride in the constant work required to maintain a pristine lawn. Yet, he was arguably best known for his laid-back nature, a quality perfectly symbolized by his well-loved La-Z-Boy chair. Tom could make a friend anywhere; and while his stories were famously long, they were always worth the wait, invariably ending in shared laughter.

Above all, Tom was a man who showed up for everyone. Whether he was volunteering as a coach, helping a friend with home repair, assisting a stranger, or never missing a single one of his children’s events, he was a constant, supportive presence.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Sheryl; his daughter, April; and his son, Dennis. He is also survived by his brother, Raymond, and his sisters, Carol, Lorraine, and Lynn, as well as one grandchild, four great-grandchildren, and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews who will carry on his legacy of kindness and hard work.