William J. "Bill" Cunningham

William (Bill) Joseph Cunningham, age 78, of Vernon Hills, IL and Sarasota, FL passed away on March 10, 2014 in Sarasota, Florida. Bill was born on April 29, 1935 in Chicago, IL to Thomas and Beatrice Cunningham. Bill attended and graduated from Carl Schurz High School. He was a painter with Nimrod Decorating Company and joined Local 275 in Chicago and was a very active member of the Painters Union Local 275, becoming financial secretary, apprentice teacher, and eventually president of the Local 275 and business agent for many years until his retirement, and where he made many great friends. Bill was active in his community of Des Plaines, IL while raising his family and participated in Boy Scouts with his sons and Indian guides, where he made many life-long friends and poker buddies. He also coached a little league baseball team and was on many bowling teams. He was active in the Catholic church all of his life in many capacities until his death. He was a member of St. Mary of Vernon Church in Indian Creek for many years, where yearly he assembled a golf team for the annual golf outing, and also St. Jude Catholic Church in Sarasota, Florida where Bill spent the long winters. Bill enjoyed his monthly poker games with his long-time friends, fishing and many fishing trips, and camping with his family which was always an adventure. Bill loved being Irish and reveled in his culture, culminating in a trip to Ireland visiting with many of his extended Irish relatives. In his later years he traveled as often as his schedule would allow with Pat, visiting Europe many times, the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Greek Isles, and China, along with many other destinations. He loved his family, was a doting grandfather who delighted in his grandchildren and their accomplishments, and attended every family event he could possibly fit in. Bill is survived and will be missed immeasurably by Patricia Beal, the love of his life, the pride and joy of his life, his children, Thomas Gregory Cunningham (Jens), Donald William Cunningham, and Cynthia Louise (Cunningham) Lademan (Thomas), his beloved grandchildren, Kelly Ann Cunningham, Deborah Claire Cunningham, and Kennedy Cunningham Xiu Qiu Lademan, and his best friends and sisters, Maureen Sheila (Cunningham) Sullivan and Eileen Ann (Cunningham) Muench, along with nieces and nephews and cousins whom he adored and who adored him. Visitation is at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home Ltd., 120 W. Park Ave. (Route 176, one block west of Milwaukee Ave.), Libertyville, IL on Friday, March 14, 2014 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be visitation at St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church, 236 W. Hwy. 45, Indian Creek on Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 10:30 a.m. with the funeral mass starting at 11:30 a.m. Interment at All Saints Cemetery immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed at American Heart Association or the charity that touches your heart. Info, 847-362-3009 or please sign the guest book at www.burnettdane.com.

William J. "Bill" Cunningham

April 30, 1935 - March 10, 2014