George E. Cunningham

George Cunningham, 68, passed away Sunday, January 28, surrounded by loving family at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale. George made an incredible impact on countless people ever since he was injured in a high school football game at 17 years old in 1973. He was an outstanding athlete at Monsignor Pace High School in Miami, but in the final game of his senior year, he made a tackle, breaking two vertebrae in his neck, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down ever since. 

In the weeks after his injury, doctors told George’s family to prepare for the worst, that George might not survive the injury, that he might spend his remaining time on life support, and that at best he might be able to live a few more years. But the medical diagnosis could not account for George’s unshakable faith in God, his indomitable will to live, to love, to laugh and to overcome, nor the power of a big, loving Catholic family, great friends and the supportive people in the Pace community.  

George spent seven months in the hospital healing and rehabbing, learning to live without being able to walk, run, feed himself or hug the people he loved. But through his hard work in the face of difficult struggles, and with the help of supportive family and friends, George earned his high school diploma, a bachelor’s degree at Biscayne College (now St. Thomas University), a law degree from Nova University Law School, and went on to pass the Florida Bar exam, becoming a lawyer like his father, Cornelius Cunningham. 

Despite his amazing accomplishments, George’s greatest gift to the world was his caring spirit, as he was always willing to offer a kind word to anyone he met.  Instead of complaining about his loss of mobility and many difficult challenges, George focused on family, on life’s beauty and on the abundant good moments over 50 years with family and friends. 

George’s empathy for the trials and troubles of others was truly inspiring, and he proved that life is worth living.  His injury became the catalyst for his family to remain strong in faith and unity, and it made everyone who assisted in his care better people. George’s life itself was a miracle, a gift from God to everyone close to him. 

He was preceded in death by his mother Joan (nee Hall), his father Cornelius, his Uncles Gene and Ed, his Aunts Joan and Grace, his cousin Christopher, his four grandparents, and numerous other relatives. George is survived by his sisters Mary Fitzgerald, Barbara Kitching (Blair), and Bonnie Douglas (Tom); by his brothers Edward (Christina), Eugene, Christopher; his Aunt Dorothy Hanlon ;and by the nieces and nephews he loved so much: Tim (Valerie), Kathryn (Chuck), Daniel (Hannah), Elizabeth, Joseph, Kayleigh, Mallory, Ivy, Jacqueline; great nieces and nephews Jack, Rowan, Charlotte, Charles, and several cousins. And he will be missed by so many who were blessed to be part of his incredible, inspiring life. 

** Donations can also be made to Tunnel to Towers in his memory.  Just hit the link and type in his name . We will be notified. https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847/?_gl=1*9thxi3*_ga*MjEzNDM2NzYyMS4xNzA2ODk5ODM1*_ga_KKJBEGGEYM*MTcwNjg5OTgzNS4xLjAuMTcwNjg5OTgzNS42MC4wLjA.#!/donation/checkout