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Michael Leonard Cunha
1943 - 2020
Michael Leonard Cunha
1943 - 2020
Obituary
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Michael Cunha Obituary
He was born on Dec. 21, 1943, in Oakland, California to Harold and Thelma (Moreira) Cunha. Mike spent a long career as a teacher, first as a physical education teacher at McChesney Junior High in Oakland and then Weaver High School in Hartford. He eventually followed his interest in science obtaining his certification as a physics teacher.
Mike met his wife of 52 years, Ellen, during Peace Corps training in Chicago in 1966. They were assigned to the West African country of Sierra Leone where Mike began a softball league and Ellen taught English. After serving their two years of service, the young couple settled in San Leandro, California, before moving to Vernon in 1974.
He is predeceased by his younger brother James of New York City. In addition to his wife, Ellen, he leaves behind a daughter, Martha Richter of San Antonio, Texas; and a son, Todd Cunha and his wife, Maribeth, of South Windsor. He will be sorely missed by his three granddaughters, Leah, Madelyn, and Molly.
A lifelong supporter of environmental causes, we ask that in lieu of flowers you make a donation to the Connecticut chapter of Sierra Club. Visit
www.ctsierraclub.wixsite.com/sierraclub-ct
or mail a contribution to Connecticut Sierra Club, P.O. Box 270595, West Hartford, CT 06127.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, Jan. 20, from noon to 3 p.m. at Salmon Brook Park, 215 Salmon Brook St, Granby. A reception in the Gathering Room will allow those in attendance to share memories and enjoy each other's company.
Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home in Granby has care of the arrangements.
For online condolences please visit
www.carmonfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sophia Hunter
March 4, 2025
He was the greatest human being.
Franklin Delano Rice
May 15, 2024
Mr Cunha was my 8th grade pe teacher and basketball coach. We would speak at length of how u "can´t give 110% but u can give it all u got". Solely because of his influence I played football at a high level working to be an high school all American in Oakland and earning an athletic scholarship to Arizona State University.
I am deeply hurt with the news of his passing and my condolences go out to his family.
A great memory was right before the family migrated east we had dinner at their home right across the border of Oakland and San Leandro, right off of East 14th st. Spegetti and French bread.
Ann F Moreira
February 3, 2023
Mike is still a loving force in my life. Miss him often. Blessed to have had him in our family.
Weaver High School Girls Gymnastics Class of 1983
Denise Llewellyn
January 13, 2021
Michael Cunha was the most successful Gymnastics Coach in the history of Weaver High School and he was loved by all of his gymnasts both men and women. He not only taught us how to win at gymnastics meets, but also how to win in life. I will be forever grateful for his love and kindness.
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Ellen Barrett & Michael Cunha Wedding, 1967
Dianne & Ewen McEwen
January 28, 2020
Ellen and Mike met in Chicago where a group of 110 was training for the Peace Corps to go to Sierra Leone, West Africa. They were married in Bo, Sierra Leone after their first year in Africa. Three Barrett family members, Ellens father and two sisters traveled all that way to take part in the wedding. The pair was dedicated to teaching, and from what I read about Mikes work in Connecticut, he continued his great influence on young people in both the physics classroom and on the sports field. Mike located my husband a me about ten years ago and we have since reminisced with him and Ellen about our two years in Africa as well as the 50 following years. We shall miss his sunny personality and the what little time we had together the last few years.
January 19, 2020
Tracey Mullings
January 19, 2020
Coach Cunha was such a huge inspiration in my life. He always cared about all his students. He encouraged me to join the Girls gymnastic team at Weaver high and thanks to him I was #1 in the city of Hartford in 1992. His kindness and dedication to make sure I did good in school will never be forgotten.
Jerry & Vivian Switzer
January 19, 2020
Mike Cunha was a great long time friend from Fremont HS, Oakland CA! A great friend, sport and baseball player that bring back a lot of memories. We also shared some great life experiences with the East Oak. YMCA! A great person that will be truly missed by family, friends and students for his compassion and interest in this life. Our condolences to family and friends, especially Ellen. Rest in Peace, Mike
Trevaughn Whitehead
January 18, 2020
I met Mike 35 years ago as a 13 yr old child. I was in 8th grade at the time as he came from Weaver high school to coach me in the sport gymnastics at the middle school. From that point on. I went to Weaver and continued the sport and became MVP on the team at one point. He's helped me so much during that time by getting a job at burger king and as well as acaademics. I admired him as a man with integrity, diligence and authenticity. I'm still in shock because I was just at Mike's house last year 2019. I had no clue he was ill. He will be so missed
Ellen Hatcher
January 18, 2020
One of my fondest memories of Mike was when he visited my third grade class in Hayward, CA, and did science lessons with them. My students were glued to his every word and he truly made learning fun. I am sure that day was the highlight of their year. He was a teacher up to the very end and we had wonderful discussions about education throughout the years. We will miss you Michael Cunha.
January 18, 2020
Mike Cunha was one of the more enthusiastic and student-centered teachers with whom I worked at Farmington High School, continually contributing to the discussion of the Physics-First curriculum while working tirelessly to make the freshman Physical Science course an intellectually and personally rewarding experience for his students. At a personal level, Mike was one of the most consistently kind and considerate people I have ever met. When I recall the stimulating conversations we had over the years, I know that we as professionals and as people will miss him greatly.
Louise Kowitch
January 17, 2020
Michael was one of the most generous, enthusiastic, endearing and wonderfully quirky colleagues I had the privilege to work with at Farmington High School. Students and teachers alike cottoned to his gentle, affable approach to education, relationships and athletics. When I chanced upon seeing Mike in the halls at FHS, he always made me smile and brightened my day. His kindness was fearless. He was never brought down by the challenges of introducing "physics first" at FHS - a daunting task. He will be missed by those of us who had the good fortune to have him touch their lives.
Lenworth Redway
January 17, 2020
My condolences to the family
Ann Moreira
January 16, 2020
Michael was our cousin, mentor, family humorist and geneologist. He never gave up and shows us what it means to quietly keep going and not succumb to the dark side. He was always curious about the world around him, ready to give an anecdote or fact about something new. He combined grit, playfulness, humility, gentleness and strength. His love for his family was shown in so many actions, not just words. Mike was more than a cousin; he was one of my very best friends. Thank you, Ellen, for bringing him such love and kindness. Our new mantra is "What would Michael do?" That will help...love to all...
Ann Moreira
January 16, 2020
Mike was one in a million. He was my cousin, my buddy and in my life since I was born, near his family, in Oakland. The eptiome of humility, humor, resilence and generosity. Thank you, Mike, for all your gifts and thank you, Ellen, for being such a loving wife to him.
Love always, Ann
Vince Tokarz
January 16, 2020
Mike was always one of the genuine "good guys". He always had a corny joke that I could use to share with my students, and his passion for teaching and finding ways to enhance student learning were an inspiration to me, as well as many other teachers at Farmington High. His legacy will live on in the minds of his students and the hearts of the teachers he worked with. I will miss him...
January 16, 2020
"In Perfect Peace...."
Lovingly,
Riley and Cerise Johnson
Son, Kurt Harrison Jr. Weaver High School class of 1989....
Kurt "Sincere" Harrison
January 16, 2020
My high school gymnastics coach was one of the toughest cats I knew. He pushed me mentally and physically and helped set the tone for how I get down to this very day. Tough but fair and had integrity in abundance. He stood upright cause he was a righteous man. I am happy I got to tell him that while he was here in the flesh. My sincerest condolences to the entire Cunha family. The flesh is gone but he was more than that....energy is neither created nor destroyed! Peace
Kurt "Sincere" Harrison
Weaver c/o 1989
Anthony Palmer
January 16, 2020
To my Teacher, Coach and friend, you will be missed I'm am glad I did get to see you and we live laugh and loved. I wish that you sleep in peace and know that we are going to be alright my friend. Love you Coach Cunha. And to Michael's family know he was a great guy I'm am so sorry for your loss. Palmer
Carmen Benitez
January 16, 2020
Mr Cunha, you were my life savior on many occasions. My heart is sad learning of your transition. May you rest in peace.
Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe
January 16, 2020
I had the good fortune to to teach at the Hebrew High School of New England for a period of time that Mr.Cunha taught there.
He was a devoted teacher and a kind and thoughtful person.
Even more than his academic subjects, he taught decency and kindness by his demeanor and informal interactions.
May his memory be an inspiration for emulation.
Deborah Walker
January 15, 2020
My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Family of Mr. Cunha. He was my gymnastic coach from 1987-89 at Weaver High School. One of my fondest memories of him is that when he would trying to teach me a new a routine, he would always describe it as if he was teaching a physics lesson. I must say it helped me to do better in gymnastics and in my science classes. Rest in Peace My teacher Mr. Cunha
Bianca Ouchana (George)
January 15, 2020
Me Cunha was a very special teacher, one that I wouldnt ever forget from FHS. Sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. He made such a wonderful impression and made science class the highlight of our day. Our entire class once met in the middle of the night to watch a meteor shower- To this day, a really great memory.
Anthony Jordan
January 15, 2020
RIP Mr. Cunha, you were my favorite teacher while I attended Weaver. It was awesome always running into you at The Gym and even having an opportunity to get in a workout with you. You will be missed by all, you were a great teacher and I am thankful for everything I learn in your classes.
Al & Bobbie Rozinsky
January 15, 2020
Condolences to extended family & friends. Feeling overwhelmed by this news, especially since a local FL close friend died yesterday. Mike Cunha's special vibrance & zest for life was a magnificent gift to his family & countless minions of students & colleagues. Most interestingly, both Mike & [Steve Rodgers] our friend here, were Coaches [indeed, each one coached high school baseball, too]. Mike Cunha was simply the best of the best & an example of pure goodness. His genuine caring for humankind will live on with all who knew him or even knew if him! Our time together as colleagues at Weaver High School - back in the day! - are among the sweetest memories (in or out of education) I treasure. Mike Cunha's constant smile & optimistic aura were a wonderful, energetic contribution that brought out the best in others. We pray his memory will be for a blessing. Amen & Amen.
!dnuora lla sguH
Fondly,
Al & Bobbie
Carlene Williams
January 15, 2020
He was a good teacher, very kind, and always willing to help. He will truly be missed. R.I.P.
Lawrence Rodgers
January 15, 2020
Mr. Cunha you will be missed. Thank you for all the life lessons you taught me at Weaver. You will always have a special place in my heart. Sleep well coach.
Courtney Rush
January 15, 2020
My high school baseball coach and laid the foundation for being a coach and the way I approach every athlete I have had the pleasure of coaching. Mr. Cunha will be sorely missed. This picture captures that fire that he instilled in all of us. RIP Coach and Thank you!!!
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