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Click here for a picture from
the Colonel's Army days.
Thomas J. Cunningham, Jr. was a gentleman -- and a gentle man.
He was considerate, kind, outgoing, warm, friendly. He personified
the Christian ideal -- wherever he went, he sowed joy. He was a
communicator! He was trained in communications; he practiced communications;
toward the end, in a sense, he taught communications.
Tom was born in Pittsburgh on September 19, 1918, found his way
to the University of Indiana for his Bachelor's Degree, then to
American University for a Master's Degree in Public Relations. He
enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private in 1941 and, 26 years later,
retired as a colonel. While in the Army, he was a communicator.
In Vietnam, he was Chief of Communications for General Westmoreland,
was responsible for Radio Saigon and was a major factor in introducing
military and civilian television into the Republic of Vietnam. Tom
was editor of ARMOR MAGAZINE and European editor of STARS
AND STRIPES, the two largest circulation publications in the
Armed Services. Among other awards, he received THE LEGION OF MERIT
and the BRONZE STAR.
Later as a civilian, Tom directed communications and magazine programs
for five national organizations, including the National Defense
Transportation Association, and the Retired Officers Association.
Toward the end of his life, he was a Communications and Marketing
Consultant to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association
and the American Society of Naval Engineers. Tom was a communicator
to the end.
Looking at the more personal side, Tom was Vice President of the
Col. Fitzgerald Division, the largest AOH Division in Virginia,
and a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He was also a daily communicant,
an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, and an altar server
(when needed). He was a true Christian, always a source of joy to
those around him, always a calming influence in times of stress,
always willing to pitch in and help -- or take the lead if necessary.
He was a most convivial spirit, good company, a friend to all. Tom
was an outstanding communicator and, most of all, he communicated
love!
Thomas J. Cunningham entered eternal life on June 26, 1995. One
of his four daughters, Barbara Lynn, predeceased him in 1953 and
his wife, Marcella, died in 1997. His surviving daughters are Connie
Venberg of Paradise Valley, Arizona; Sally Dina of Brentwood, Tennessee;
Kathryn Starr, of Roswell, Georgia. One of his three brothers, Martin,
of Annandale, Virginia, is a member of the Cardinal Cushing Division
of the AOH.
This description may make Tom appear to be a saint and it would
not surprise me a bit if he were standing in the presence of the
Lord right now! But let's play it safe! Please keep Tom in your
prayers - and also the Col. Thomas J. Cunningham, Jr. Division of
the Ancient Order of Hibernians!
--Ned Woisard
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