Thomas P. Cunningham

Thomas P. Cunningham, a longtime Crestwood, Eastchester, and Hartsdale resident, died May 3, 2024, at the age of 91. He was born on October 19, 1932, in the Bronx to the late Thomas Cunningham and Hannah (Hart). Tom attended Rice High School and was a devoted son throughout his life.
Following his graduation from high school, Tom worked briefly in other positions until he joined the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Over a long and successful career, he rose to the rank of Captain and headed the NYPD's Tactical Patrol Force. He was an active member of the NYPD's Emerald Society and its Anchor Club. Midway through his career, he received college degree from CUNY's John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He often described the NYPD as, "the greatest job ever invented."
On May 28, 1960, Tom married Marie Egan at St. Francis Xavier Church in the Bronx. Together, they had three children while also being an integral part of a larger extended family, most of whom lived within the New York metropolitan area.
After retiring from the NYPD, Tom launched a second career as a fire safety inspector in Manhattan. He enjoyed this new chapter of his life so much, he worked until he was 80 years of age. He remained active and independent until the very last day of his life.
Tom was a devout Catholic who attended mass daily and was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus. Through a robust raffle program that he administered on behalf of the Knights of Columbus, which included a mailing list of over one thousand people, he raised thousands of dollars for local charities each year.
He and Marie owned a second home in Cape May, New Jersey for many years, where they loved going to the beach with family members and dining in its many restaurants. They also enjoyed regular trips to Colonial Williamsburg and Garden Week in Virginia. An only child, Tom was grateful to form a wider loving family through Marie's siblings, which included Eileen and Louis DiNiscia, Michael and Jane Egan, Tom and Virginia Egan, and all their children.
Tom is survived by his children; Thomas J. Cunningham, Michael G. Cunningham, and his wife Catherine Woods, and Maryellen Cunningham; as well as his grandchildren; Tom and Emma.