GUNNING, PROF. MARK BERNARD
62, and a retired member of the Rhode Island College education faculty, died peacefully surrounded by his family on September 25 after a courageous battle with cancer. Prof. Gunning was born in Pawtucket RI, the son of the late Thomas J. Gunning of Pawtucket and the late Frances V. Gunning, nee Dempsey, also of Pawtucket.
Prof. Gunning was an early innovator in the pursuit of career planning and professional internships to assure that high-risk high school students could enjoy productive and happy lives. After the successful launch of one of the first such programs at Narragansett High School in the early 2000s, he was invited to join the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities at Rhode Island College as a master teacher in 2003. In that role, he trained more than 3,000 faculty and employees at state agencies, public schools and higher education institutions to significantly improve school-to-career planning and outcomes.
His work at the Sherlock Center led to his appointment as special education professor in RIC's Feinstein School of Education and Human Development. In this role, he was a strong advocate for Universal Design for Learning, employing the methods in his own courses and teaching budding educators about the value of reaching all students. As a member of the faculty, he was invited by the college president to join the Faculty Governing Council where he spearheaded policy changes to increase the number of students able to earn undergraduate degrees in four to five years.
Prof. Gunning was also an advocate of diversity and inclusion and was appointed by the college president to serve on The Rhode island College Dialogue on Diversity Committee. An integral part of his life's work was to boost the quality of programming that enhances equity, accessibility, inclusion and academic achievement for students from linguistically and culturally diverse academic and socioeconomic background, as well as students with disabilities.
Perhaps most importantly, Prof. Gunning was actively involved in student government organizations as a faculty liaison helping students to advocate for their student rights and responsibilities and for the enhancement of educational, cultural and social opportunities. He was honored by being elected as the faculty speaker for the senior class at Cap and Gown Convocation in 2013—a distinction never before accorded to a special education professor.
Prof. Gunning completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree at University of Rhode Island in the 1980s. Upon graduation, he was appointed a Danforth Fellow and received a University Fellowship to complete his masters and doctoral work at Northwestern University.
Prof. Gunning was a strong devotee of the arts and quite a talented actor. He won a prestigious acting award at Northwestern in during his graduate studies and also served on the board of directors of Providence's NewGate Theater.
Professor Gunning's biggest passion was his family, especially his many nieces and nephews. He regularly prepared holiday meals for 30 or more family members. He was a generous, joyous person, who would fill the room with laughter and stories wherever he went. He was a mentor to many, and a friend to all. He loved nothing more than to bring joy to others, and always ensured everyone was well taken care of and well fed. He will be greatly missed, as his energy and laughter was contagious.
He is survived by his spouse and partner of 30 years, Edward Reich Ruehle of Providence, and his siblings: Mary Ellen Keiser of Jamestown, Thomas M. Gunning of Brewster, MA, Michael J. Gunning of Wakefield, Paul M. Gunning of Carolina Village, and Kristen A. Gunning of Kingston. He was the brother of the late Elizabeth F. Gunning. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law: Bruce R. Keiser and Jonathan A. Sigman, and his sisters-in-law: Sally Carlson Gunning, Rochelle Bromberg Gunning, and Beth Harrington Gunning. He was cherished "Uncle" to his many nieces and nephews.
Service for Mark will be held Saturday, September 30 at 11am in the Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI 02906, followed by burial. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, New England Chapter. For online condolences, please visit www.manningheffern.com.

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Published by The Times-Picayune from Sep. 28 to Sep. 30, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Mark Gunning

Sponsored by Manning Heffern O'Neill Funeral Home.

13 Entries

Christine Mary Cayer

September 22, 2021

I thought of Mark the other day when a friend asked me if I had any nicknames. I mentioned the common ones, then said that I had one friend who called me Tina, and that was Mark. It stemmed from our days singing Motown on the streets of downtown Wakefield (scary thought). Mark will always be missed.

Helen Hargraves Donaldson

September 22, 2020

I received a message from Legacy to remember Mark at this time, in 2020. How many years have passed since Mark has been with us on earth? He will ALWAYS be a part of EVERYONE who knew him, so he is never gone. Mark really could “ light up a room” and made everyone laugh. For me personally, he had confidence in my acting ability, which inspired me to at least take a stab at auditions. One particular show in high school didn’t go our way, and we played backstage mimicking the words being sung on stage, as if it were us. We danced through the songs and had quite a good time living the roles we didn’t get behind the scenes. As for Mark, he could make anything into a positive. In reading what others have written, Mark inspired so many to have the faith in themselves that they could achieve, and strongly believed and worked to find a place for all. I wish I had attended the last reunion of SKHS, to see Mark one more time. I am remembering Mark fondly today.

January 5, 2018

I just learned of Mark's passing, and I am very deeply saddened. When I was a new student from Narragansett ( because we had no high school) in tenth grade, we sat next to each other in home room. His last name began with G and mine H, so we were together for three years. We had so many things in common- love of theatre being the biggest. He made me laugh each and every day, no matter what. For his birthday I wanted to buy him a new pair of Converse Chucks. Mark was the best actor in Bye Bye Birdie and deserved to be Conrad, the part he really wanted. We listened to Jim Croce in concert at URI, along with Auggie, as well as Shakespeare in Ct on a theatre field trip. Mark was the only guy allowed at my house while my parents worked, and called my dad Corned Beef and Cabbage. Every time I get back to Narragansett Beach, I think of Mark showing up on his bike. My Dad had seen him there, but I have lived in too many other places to ever catch up with him past the one reunion. Mark will be in my heart forever as one of the smartest, funniest, most entertaining people I have ever known. He made everyone feel so important and was one great listener. My deepest condolences to the entire Gunning family. I really loved him too. Helen Hargraves Donaldson

Austin Allen

October 7, 2017

So sorry to hear about the passing of my good friend Mark. Special thoughts and prayers to the Gunning family. We had such fun times in school, and shared a splendid time together when he visited me in N.Y.C. I picked him up from the train station on my bicycle and he said, "Turkey, I feel like I'm in a movie."

Saadia Cicerone

October 2, 2017

So sorry to see the passing of my classmate Mark. We grew up and sweated the small stuff together. He was one of the boys who would pick me to be on his team and let me play with the boys. Being an advocate as well, we bumped into each other at Rhode Island State Disability Functions and would spend the time catching up and reminiscing. He was soft spoken, kind, brilliant, humble and a champion for people like my daughter with disabilities. I last saw him happily at our class reunion, and never thought that would be the last time. My heart is heavy over the loss of one of "the best."

Saadia Cicerone

October 1, 2017

I am very sorry to hear of his passing he was my best friends teacher and a very nice person

Rachel Cherenzia
Class of "95"

Christine Cayer

October 1, 2017

Mary Ellen, Tom, Michael, Paul, and Kristen - I am so sorry about Mark, and saddened by his loss. He was a special friend, and though we stayed in touch mainly by letters at Christmas, I did come up from PA so that Mark and I could attend our 40th SKHS reunion together. We were able to spend some time before and after catching up, and it was so like old times. I will miss him and his wry sense of humor. I will miss being called "Tina", his nickname for me.

Susan Carr

September 30, 2017

Sending my condolences, love and prayers to your entire family. Mark has touched the lives of so many.

Annie & John Spence

September 29, 2017

We send sympathy, caring thoughts and prayers to the whole family in your recent loss. Mark used to be our babysitter in his younger days. Glad he had so much success in life.
In sympathy,
Annie & John Spence

The Staff of Manning-Heffern Funeral Home

September 29, 2017

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Karla Kelly

September 29, 2017

When I think of Mark, I always smile. I loved sitting with him talking about our beautiful families and our mom's working together at URI, the bus rides to school, our time at SK. He was the most gracious, generous, full-of-life person I will ever know and I will miss knowing he is in this world and will look forward to seeing him in the next.

Christopher Lussier

September 28, 2017

Mary Ellen and Family,

I'm devastated to hear the news of Mark's passing. He has had the single most important impact on my career as an educator and that impact will no doubt continue throughout my career. I'm a better teacher and more important person because I had the privilege of knowing him and even more importantly calling him a friend.

May he Rest In Peace and my prayers are with you all.

Karen Shabshelowitz

September 28, 2017

An awesome Special Education teacher at Narragansett High School. I liked him from the very first meeting when he spoke up in front of an IEP team of about 20 people- including the Superintendent, Special Ed Director etc. He always put the students first. He will be sadly missed but left his legacy with so many students.

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