Hughes W. Cunningham

CUNNINGHAM Hughes W. Cunningham, Pingry School president Hughes Westcott Cunningham of Gloucester, Va., died on Tuesday, July 24, 2007. A memorial service, officiated by the Rev. Daniel O. Worthington Jr., will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 28, 2007, at the Ware Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends in the Parish House, following the service. Interment will be private. Arrangements are by the Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point, Va. Mr. Cunningham was born June 12, 1921, in Elizabeth to Herbert Hughes and Josephine Butler Cunningham. Scott Cunningham graduated from The Pingry School, where he was a New Jersey All-State athlete in basketball, baseball and football. He was awarded Pingrys coveted 1902 Emblem for dedication and loyalty, and was later awarded Pingrys Letter of Life for outstanding lifetime achievements. Mr. Cunningham graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1943. He was president of the student body, a member of the football team and captain of the 1943 track team. He was later awarded William and Marys Alumni Medallion for his outstanding contributions to the college over his lifetime. A decorated World War II veteran, he commanded a Motor Torpedo (PT) Boat in the Southwest Pacific. He later served as a briefer at the Pentagon on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff. He retired as a captain in the United States Navy. His civilian career was in the field of education, serving as dean of admissions at William and Mary and as a founder and first president of the then Christopher Newport College in Newport News, Va. Mr. Cunningham worked as dean of admissions and student aid at William and Mary from 1953 to 1961, and he also served on a number of Peninsula community boards. He returned to Pingry in 1970 and served as headmaster, helping to lead his all-male alma mater into coeducation and a move to a new campus. Later, he was named president of the Pingry School. Upon returning to Virginia in 1982, he returned to William and Mary as the executive vice president of the Society of Alumni. He was an active member of Ware Episcopal Church in Gloucester, Va. Survivors include his wife, Cecil Cary; daughter, Ann Davis; son, Todd Cunningham, and five grandchildren. In Scotts memory, contributions may be made to the Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1417, Gloucester, Va. 23061; William and Marys Mason School of Business, P.O. Box 2220, Williamsburg, Va. 23187, or a division of your choice at the college; Christopher Newport University, 1 University Place, Newport News, Va. 23606, or The Pingry School, P.O. Box 366, Martinsville Road, Martinsville, N.J. 08836.