Reverend Mark Cunningham

The Reverend Mark Cunningham, retired pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church, in Herkimer, passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. A Mohawk native, he was the son of the late Eugene D and Rita (Murray) Cunningham. He was educated at the State University of New York at Albany and at Union College, Schenectady. "Mr. C." taught English for 24 years at the Stillwater and Watervliet High Schools.
In 1993, Fr. Cunningham began studies for the priesthood at Theological College of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He was ordained a priest by the Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard, Bishop of Albany on January 16, 1999, at St. Patrick's Church, Watervliet. Fr. Cunningham's assignments included St. Mary's Hospital, Troy; Christ the King Parish, Guilderland; and St. Francis de Sales Parish, Herkimer. He also served his home parish of Blessed Sacrament, Mohawk as its sacramental minister and Our Lady of Hope parish in Fort Plain. He served as Dean for Herkimer County and was active in diocesan efforts to enhance the well-being of his brother priest.
He enjoyed teaching English, and he continued for many years to help students prepare for the SAT test. He also enjoyed Broadway theatre, Glimmerglass Opera, chocolate and travelingespecially to Maine and Europe. London was his favorite foreign destination. Through the years he had a private audience with Pope St. John Paul II in Rome (2003) and visited with President George H.W. Bush in Kennebunkport, ME (1990). He also saw Queen Elizabeth II in London at the "Trooping of the Colors" during her 90th birthday celebration in 2016.
Fr. Cunninham is survived by three sisters: Eileen (Eugene) Kipper, Loree (Gareld) McCoy Gallagher all of Mohawk, Maureen (Gary) Snyder of Newport and one brother Shawn, (Cynthia) Cunningham of Chester, VT. Survivors also include three nieces: Mary, Megan and Leah; three nephews: Bill, Ryan and Aaron; along with several very special grandnieces and grand-nephews; many cousins, former colleagues, former students, brother priests, "Calvary Cemeterians" and loyal friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his brother-in-law Bill McCoy and a lifetime of collaborators and colleagues, especially his Watervliet HS Colleague David Maxwell, and his priest-mentor Fr. Edwin Schweigardt.
The Reception of Father's Body will take place at St. Francis de Sales Parish on Monday Sept 16th from 4:00 – 6:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, September17th at 11:00 am in the church.
Fr. Cunningham will be interred at the convenience of his family in the Mohawk Village Cemetery. In lieu of flowers kindly consider donations to St. Francis de Sales Parish, 219 Bellinger St, Herkimer, 13350, Blessed Sacrament Church, 71 E. Main St Mohawk 13407 or the Priest's Retirement Fund of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, 40 N. Main Ave, Albany 12203.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fenner Funeral Home Inc. Herkimer