Thomas J. Cunningham, 79

Thomas J. Cunningham, 79

GILFORD — Thomas Joseph Cunningham, 79, of 50 Scenic Drive, and also of Largo, Florida, died Thursday, June 15, 2017, in his home after a long illness.

He was born on Jan. 22, 1938, in Buffalo, New York, the son of the late Murry J. and Jeanette (Morlock) Cunningham.

Thomas was a 1959 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and served as a lieutenant in the Coast Guard for a number of years. Later he worked as a District Staff Manager for Southern New England Telephone in Connecticut.

He was a member of St. Andre Bessette-St. Joseph Church in Laconia, and also a longtime member and volunteer at both the Gilford Public Library in Gilford and the Largo Public Library in Largo, Florida.

He is survived by his wife, Maria (Faiella) Cunningham of Gilford; two sons, Mark Cunningham and his wife Isabel Lagomasino of Santa Monica, California, and Kevin Cunningham of Manchester, Connecticut; one daughter, Lori Petrucelli and her husband Tom of Weeki Wachee, Florida, one stepson, Daniel Brunski and his wife Teri of St. Petersburg, Florida; one stepdaughter, Joanne Jost of Philadelphia; six grandchildren, Kristy Jost, Olivia Jost, Brittany Morisette, Jay Cunningham, Ryan Brunski and Maria Elena Cunningham; two sisters, Carol Porreca and her husband Phil of Henderson, Nevada, and Kathleen Doerward and her husband Jack of Goodyear, Arizona; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one brother, Paul Cunningham.

There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 27, at St. Andre Bessette Parish-St. Joseph Church, 30 Church St., Laconia. Burial with military honors will be at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27, at the State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen.

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Central NH VNA & Hospice, 780 North Main St., Laconia, NH 03246, or to the Gilford Public Library, 31 Potter Hill Rd, Gilford, NH 03249, or Largo Public Library, Central Park Drive, Largo, FL 33771.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.