Joseph Bernard "Joe" Cunningham

Cunningham, Joseph "Joe" Bernard
TROY - Joseph "Joe" Bernard Cunningham, 83, of Troy, N.Y., passed away peacefully, on November 21, 2025.
Born in Troy on December 22, 1941, Joe was the son of the late Joseph and Helen (Hayes) Cunningham. He grew up in Lansingburgh, attended St. Augustine's Elementary School, and graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1960. He later earned his degree from Hudson Valley Community College and proudly served in the Air National Guard for seven years.
Joe built a successful career in sales, beginning with AB Dick Company selling mimeograph machines, then 25 years with Clairol, and ultimately retiring from Burlington Drug Company as a pharmaceutical sales representative in 2006.
In 1961, Joe met the love of his life, Judith Vega, at a St. Augustine's CYO basketball dance. They married on June 12, 1965, and celebrated 60 wonderful years together this year. Joe and Judy built a beautiful life together full of love, faith, and family.
Family always came first to Joe, and his role as a father to his six children was one of strength, presence, guidance, and unconditional love. He was a constant source of encouragement and joy. Favorite memories include tobogganing at Knickerbocker Park in winter, Sunday Mass at St. Augustine's Church, summer trips to Maine, day trips to Vermont, and bingo nights at St. Augustine's Hall.
Deeply devoted to his Lansingburgh community, Joe coached Lansingburgh Little League and Little Miss Softball for many years. He also coached St. Augustine's CYO girls' basketball for 15 years and was known to be a favorite coach to many of his former players. A faithful parishioner of St. Augustine's, Joe served as a Eucharistic minister, volunteered with the food pantry, and contributed his time on the church finance committee and school board.
After retiring, Joe enjoyed winters in Myrtle Beach with Judy, and summers up at their camp in Lake George, where he loved days at the beach, nights by the fire, and a trip every now and then to the village for some caramel corn. He was an avid player of Cribbage, Yahtzee, and Rummikub, a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan who cherished listening to games on the radio, and could never pass up a good garage sale.
Joe was the beloved husband of 60 years to Judith Vega-Cunningham; devoted father to Cathleen Lashua (Andy), Joseph Cunningham (Stacy), James Cunningham, Colleen Bessette (Jack), Judith Field (Rob), and Christine King (Jeremy); and proud "Papa" to 12 grandchildren, Joshua Scott (Katie), Cassandra and Johnny Bessette, Emma Larson (JT), Grace, Caroline, Leo, and Ruby Field, Jenna and Tyler Lashua, Avi Cunningham, and Lucas King; and great-grandfather to RJ Scott. He was predeceased by his parents; his sister Carol; and his adopted grandmother, Lena Pitts.
In keeping with his generous spirit, Joe donated his body to Albany Medical College for medical research and education.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club, or the St. Augustine's Church Renovation Fund. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Joe's family on Monday, November 24, from 3 to 6 p.m., at McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 870 2nd Ave., Troy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, November 25, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church in Lansingburgh.