Patricia A. "Patsy" Cunningham

1949 - 2025

Cunningham, Patricia A. "Patsy"

Mar 17, 1949 - Sep 6, 2025

An accomplished insurance professional and avid boater, passed away on September 6, 2025, at the age of 76 from a respiratory illness. Affectionately known as Patsy, she was a devoted pet parent to her beloved cats, Sharkey and Barnacle. She is survived by her brother, Berney (Linda) Cunningham; her sister, Adrienne "Drenna" Barnes; her niece and nephews-Jennifer, Andy, Christopher, Steve, Scott, and Nicky-as well as many cherished cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Kruger. Patsy was born in Buffalo, New York, on March 17, 1949, to Bernard ("Bun") and Adrienne Cunningham. She graduated from Clarence High School in 1967. After working at the Floss Agency, she launched her own insurance business in 1980 and went on to build a distinguished career, retiring from the Vanner Insurance Agency in 2019. Over the years, she held positions such as Insurance Counselor, Director of the Insurance Club of Buffalo, and Marine Insurance Specialist, and was qualified as an Expert Witness by the Technical Advisory Service for Attorneys (TASA). She was also the only woman in the first graduating class of the CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) in New York State. Her career was marked by numerous honors in leadership, education, and professional excellence. Her passion for boating was just as notable as her professional accomplishments. From 1972 to 1975, she broadcast weekend Safe Boating reports for WBEN, Wave Radio, and WHTT. She also contributed a boating column to the Buffalo News between 1986 and 1987. In 1981, she became the first woman to achieve the grade of Senior Navigator in the United States Power Squadron (USPS)-two years before women were officially permitted to join. She later made history as the first female Commander of the Swiftwater Power Squadron and as the first female Bridge Officer and Commander of USPS District 6. As captain of her own vessel, the Yachta, Yachta, Yachta, and of many other boats on the Niagara River, Patsy devoted much of her life to the water. In recent years, she volunteered aboard the Excalibur, a 30-foot boat designed to accommodate disadvantaged and disabled passengers. Her contributions earned her wide recognition, including the Blue Gavel Boater of the Year Award in 2011. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, September 13th, from 10 AM-1 PM at the (Amherst Chapel) AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 5200 Sheridan Dr. (at Hopkins Rd), where services will follow at 1pm. A Memorial Service will be held 11am on Saturday, September 20th at Trinity Lutheran Church, 8760 Transit Rd., East Amherst. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Share condolences at www.AMIGONE.com