Joseph Cunningham

1949 - 2023

Camano Island - Joseph David Cunningham, 74, died on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. His final months were filled doing some of the things he loved most: travels to family outings, sharing stories, laughter, music and love with his adored family and friends at his beach home on beautiful Camano Island, WA.

Joe was born in Flint, MI on May 16, 1949 to Dorothy and Joseph Cunningham, Sr. who predeceased him, as well as his brother, Don Bergstrom. He graduated in 1967 from Holy Redeemer High School in Flint, Michigan, returning many times through the years to visit those childhood friends. After his freshman year at University of Michigan, Joe enlisted in the US Army where he was selected for Officer Candidate School to gain additional training ahead of deployment to Vietnam. He deployed as a commissioned First Lieutenant officer having completed the Airborne, Special Forces Officer (Green Beret) and Jungle Operations courses, to which he credits his survival of 11 months of foreign service. During his 2 years, 8 months and 23 days of total service, Joe was awarded the National Service Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Parachute Badge and the Vietnam Civil Action Medal. Returning to University of Michigan, he received his BA majoring in both Psychology and English and would later say his psychology studies greatly enhanced his ability to parent his four lively daughters.

After receiving his college degree, Joe famously filled his Army-issue duffle bag and hitchhiked his way to Seattle, WA where he met his wife of 44 years, Katherine "Kathy" Lotzgesell Cunningham. Joe wore many hats but his most beloved was as Husband, Dad and Father to his four girls: Shannon Meyer (Robbie Meyer,) Eryn Alexander (Andrew Alexander,) Courtney Rowe (Jason Rowe) and Carson Cunningham (Maziar Rezaeirad.) Countless summers were devoted to camping, hiking and boating trips with the four girls and their many "plus-1s" -- primarily the girls' friends whom he dubbed his "fifth daughters" and welcomed into the family's spirited storytelling, debates and card games. He also supported endless cycles of cheerleading the girls' soccer, basketball and volleyball seasons which included years of hauling gaggles of girls around in the beloved wood-paneled Buick Roadmaster wagon.

Joe and Kathy created a home that constantly buzzed with family and friends and were consummate hosts of holiday gatherings, family dinners, baby showers & birthday parties. Their beach home was the epicenter of summer crabbing and, for the brave-hearted, waterskiing on Port Susan Bay. Joe and Kathy were also avid travelers who logged countless miles criss-crossing the globe on international adventures and, later, the country in their 5th-wheeler which often lent itself to its own stories of mechanical misadventure.

Joe worked for decades in the packaging industry where he was legendary for his professionalism, his approachability and his humor. When he finally retired, colleagues from all crossroads toasted not just his professional accomplishments but the lifelong friendships he forged through the years.

In addition to his wife and four daughters, Joe leaves seven grandsons -- Will Meyer, 18; Wynton Meyer, 17; Kellan Alexander, 9; Clark Rowe, 9; Jack & Jagger Alexander, 8; Quinn Rowe, 7 -- and granddaughter, Myla Rezaeirad, 2. He was beloved as "Grandpa Joe Joe" and "Pop-Pop" by all of them and continued his sideline fan club for each of them in their athletic pursuits or, in Myla's case, her magical toddler pursuits. He also leaves legions of fans he lovingly served as an Uncle and who, like all in Joe's life, were always warmly welcomed into the fold with his unique grace and kindness.

Joe and Kathy had an active spiritual life and are particularly grateful to their St. Cecelia's, St. Luke's and "Youth Group" Bible Study and parish communities for their prayer, support and encouragement, particularly during this last journey. Joe's life will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, with a funeral mass at St. Luke Catholic Church, 322 N. 175th St. Shoreline, Washington, at 11 am. There will be a private internment ceremony at Tahoma National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Joe's name to the Rock Steady Parkinson's Non-Contact Boxing Program, to which Joe was referred by the VA upon his initial diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, which was a direct result of exposure to Agent Orange during his time of service in Vietnam. He fully embraced the core strengthening program, commuting twice a week for its gym classes, and making new friendships along the way. Donations to Parkinson's Wellness Place, a 501c(3) non-profit, can be mailed to their headquarters at 112 Ave. D, Ste B, Snohomish, Washington 98290.