Michael Hunt Cunningham

Michael Hunt Cunningham (9/13/1949 – 8/16/2025) – A devoted husband, an outstanding father, a loving brother, a giving uncle, and a cherished friend. Michael was known for his smile, humor, and love of family and the outdoors. His life was full of many successes, but his role as a loving husband and adoring father were his greatest blessings. He would actually stop to smell the flowers – whether while walking to work or during his many travels. His shining light was extinguished much too soon.

Michael was a proud Vietnam veteran. He attended The College of Santa Fe in New Mexico for one year before enlisting for an 18-month tour of duty in Vietnam as an Army military police officer. Upon his return, he attended Eastern Illinois University. He managed multiple jobs before becoming a general manager of a full-service restaurant – his first of only three employers in a 50-year hospitality career; a true testament to his loyalty.

Michael was a leader in restaurant hospitality. From 1982 – 1992, he lived in Malibu, California, where he served as Vice President of Operations for Mor Food & Fun, which owned several concepts, including Gladstone's 4 Fish in Pacific Palisades. He went on to join Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois. There, he helped shape iconic restaurants including The Pump Room, Mon Ami Gabi, Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!, Summer House, and the Windy City Smokeout festival. Michael was known as a steady, kind, and direct leader. He advocated for his teams, believed in their creativity, and made things happen. His passion for hospitality will live on in the restaurants he helped shape.

Michael was a proud husband and a devoted father. In 1992, he married the love of his life, Deanna Palmer. They traveled the world together and built their home in Chicago. Michael became a doting father to Margaret in April, 1999. She was the apple of his eye – his one and only – and he was hers. They were best buddies from day one. They loved Barbies, dollhouse people, Madeline dolls, and dressing up for tea parties and performances. Michael wore knee pads in order to play pony – or whatever animal Margaret wanted him to be. They enjoyed walking to the zoo and museums and exploring different genres of music. In 2020, he became affectionately known as "Grand-Paw" and ultimate dog walker to Margaret's Cavapoo, Betty Jane. Margaret's friends loved to be around him; some referred to him as their "second dad" and the others were simply dazzled by him.

Michael was a loving son and brother. He was the third of eight children, born to Dr. John Newport Cunningham and Betty Jane Hunt on September 13, 1949, in Tuscola, Illinois. He had three sisters who adored him – Jo Ellen (Joe) Monahan, Susan (Phil) Slagle, and Theresa (Wendell) Meyer – and four brothers and best friends – Dr. William (Norine), John (Jacqueline), Jeff (Cathy), and Dr. Dan (Soraida). He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John, and his brother-in-law Wendell.

Michael was a caring uncle. Thirty-two nieces and nephews revered their Uncle Mike and will deeply miss him – Joe II, Maureen, Megan, Fr. Tim, Bridget, Jack, Fr. Gabriel Emmanuel, CFR, and Hugh Monahan; Kevin, Claire, Kyle, Casey, Jovan, and Colette Cunningham; Elizabeth, Ellen, and Emily Meyer; Michael Cunningham; Jack, Sam, and Luke Cunningham; Jeff and Scott Slagle; Max, Ryan, and Jon Edwards; Allie and Bryce Palmer; Cindy Palmer; Claire and Lauren Whitney; and the late Josh Palmer. He was affectionately known as "Uncle Pop" and "The Muffin Man" to 22 (and counting) great nieces and nephews.

In the end, Michael gave the Gift of Life by donating his organs before cremation.

Family and friends will meet Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 North State Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654 for a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass. A livestream of the Funeral Mass will be available at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/gkUSYoCCEoI. Free parking for Holy Name Cathedral is available at 14 West Superior Street (between Dearborn Street and State Street). Please take a ticket for validation and use any nonreserved parking space on Lower Level One (LL1) or Lower Level Two (LL2).

He will be interred in Arcola, Illinois, at a future date in a private family ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, Michael would want you to thank veterans, firefighters, and police officers when you first meet them; read a book (preferably history); go out of the city where the sky is dark to look up and find the stars; smell the flowers; go fishing; pet a dog; identify birds; or simply give a fist pump, thumbs up, or smile to those you meet. His quiet heroism and playful spirit will live on in all of us.

For further information please call 312-421-0936.