Obituary of John Joseph Cunningham

CUNNINGHAM, John Joseph “Jack”-  Surrounded by family at St. Joseph’s Hospice on Sunday, July 13, 2014. Survived by his beloved wife Mary “Fay”.  Lovingly remembered by children Paddy Cunningham (Peter Schauteet), Chris, Rebecca (Bob Eddy), Jean (Bill Ive), John (Mary-Ann) and grandchildren Sam, Matthew, Jack, Brittany, Josh, Mallory, Cassie, Tayla, Andrew, Bazil and Danica. Also survived by his brother Mike and sister Debbie.  Predeceased by parents Doris and Mike, brothers Basil and Charles and sister Patricia.  Jack worked for Imperial Oil and Esso Chemical for 40 years as a labourer, welder and supervisor, and ended his career with Esso Chemical as a safety co-ordinator.  During his years at Esso Chemical he was elected to the position of council employee representative for 2 or 3 terms.  As a safety co-ordinator, he associated himself with the IAPA (Industrial Accident Prevention Association) and was associated with them for 35 years, many in a volunteer executive role, and continued with them as a senior volunteer after retirement.  Jack and Mary “Fay” traveled extensively in their retirement years with trips to England, Ireland & Scotland (where they backpacked), toured Europe, Greece, Turkey, China, Channel Islands, camping in Alaska and many states in the U.S.A.  Jack was a strong practicing Catholic and was a member of St. Peter’s Church until its closing and then moved to Our Lady of Mercy Church.  There he continued his membership with the Knights of Columbus Council 1429, becoming Grand Knight for 2 years and being involved in many Council activities including the organization of the councils one hundredth anniversary and being active until his death.  In Jack’s early years at St. Peter’s Parish, he was also strongly associated with the St. Vincent De Paul Society where he was involved with the camp and early organization of the St. Vincent De Paul store.  As a Vincentian, Jack became very interested in charity and giving of alms to the needy, especially  those in third world and developing countries and especially those organizations who offered children or families for adoption of which Jack and his wife Fay supported seven families or individuals.  For this reason Jack asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following charities:  St. Joseph’s Hospice, 140 Water St., Sarnia, ON, N7T 5W3 and Right To Life Association, 120 Eglinton Ave. East., Suite 302, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2 .  Visitation for Jack will be held at McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2014.  Prayers will be offered at 7 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Jim Higgins at Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at 11 a.m. Interment at Bear Creek Cemetery at a later date.  Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of John "Jack" Cunningham in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 21st, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area