Richard Lawrence Cunningham

RICHARD L. CUNNINGHAM STUARTS DRAFT, VA… Richard Lawrence Cunningham, 82, formerly of Shrewsbury and Marlboro, MA, died Sunday November 27, 2016, after an illness. He was born March 16, 1934, in Marlboro, MA, the first child of the late George and Olive (Bugbee) Cunningham. He graduated from Malboro High School. While working as a mechanic in his father’s garage in Marlboro, he was instrumental in organizing safely run hot rod clubs throughout New England. He moved to Seattle , WA, in 1960, where he worked for Boeing Aircraft as a Prototype Engineer, returning to the East Coast in 1970. He worked as Plant Manager for Parker Manufacturing, Northboro for 12 years, before opening his own garage on Route 9 in Shrewsberry until he retired in 1999. In 2001, Dick and his wife, Sally, relocated to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Retirement, activities involved RV travel, home project work, and being an active volunteer in Virginia German Shepherd Rescue. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Sally Ann Lovejoy; a son, Mark Cunningham and wife, Collen, of Kentucky; two daughters, Christine Nikitides and Kim Whitman, both of Michigan; nine grandchildren, Sara Tinker, Stephanie Smith, Timothy Cunningham, Michael Nikitides, Lambros Nikitides, Dina Nikitides, Torie Craven, Melissa Horne, Adam Rousseau; many great grandchildren; nephews, Will Cunningham, Stephen Moshier, Jerry Lovejoy, Jr., Perry White, Christopher Lovejoy, and Brian Lovejoy; nieces, Caitlin Cunningham, Michelle Dorr, Holly Earl, Susan, Colleen, and Dana Lovejoy, Paula Gagnon, and LuAnn Lovejoy; and many great nephews and nieces. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his younger brother of 15 years, William Cunnningham of Franconia Notch, NH. A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, December 2, 2016, in Thornrose Cemetery by Rev. Dr. Paul Nancarrow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, P.O. Box 126, Sterling, VA 20167, and/or Altar Guild, Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 208, Staunton, VA 24402. Henry Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.