Patrick J. Cunningham

Cunningham, Patrick J. NORTH CREEK Patrick J. Cunningham, a white-water rafting pioneer, ski shop operator, hunter, fisherman, gardener, and all around character, died on July 13, 2021, in North Creek, his lifelong home. He was 81. A fifth generation Adirondacker, Patrick Cunningham was born on October 19, 1939, to Margaret Collins Cunningham and H. Butler Cunningham. His parents operated the J.E. Cunningham Store and his father was instrumental in bringing skiing to North Creek. Pat Cunningham graduated from Johnsburg Central School and earned a B.S. in civil engineering from Norwich University. As a teenager, Pat was an outstanding ski racer. He made the junior national team in 1957 and raced for Norwich and the U.S. Army Ski Team in Berchtesgaden, Germany, where he served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Army gave him a Volkswagen and he drove all over Europe going to ski races. In 1962, Pat tried out for the 1964 Winter Olympics but broke his elbow before the trials. After three years in Germany, Pat traveled. "He went around the world alone and with very little money," recalled his sister Mary. "In the early '60s, being from a small upstate town, this took a great deal of ambition, courage and strength." Pat took over Cunningham's Ski Shop from his parents. He transformed an old cattle barn into Cunningham's Ski Barn expanding the business to eight ski shops at its peak. He supported tens of thousands of skiers over 65 years. In 1978, Pat went rafting on the Hudson River and the upstate white water rafting industry was born. He operated Hudson River Rafting Company for 35 years rafting thousands of people on the Hudson, Sacandaga, the Black and Moose Rivers and Ausable Chasm. Pat employed hundreds of Adirondack residents including several who went on to operate their own rafting businesses. Pat Cunningham married Deborah Hosley Cunningham in 1982 on Rock Island in Blue Mountain Lake. They enjoyed horseback rides and happiness for over 40 years. His first marriage, to Mary Lynne Heldmann, ended in divorce but they remained friends. Pat leaves behind five children: Patrick J. Cunningham (Laura) and David J. Cunningham (Susan) of Queensbury, Mark J. Cunningham (Shannon) of Greenwich, Conn., Tyler D. Cunningham of Lake Placid, and Meredith D. Cunningham of North Creek; eight grandchildren, Elle, Colin, Mara, Aiden, Zachery, Declan, Teagen and Dylan; and his siblings, Richard B. Cunningham of Troy, and Mary C. Moro and Thomas J. Cunningham of North Creek. He was predeceased by brother James Cunningham. Pig roasts over an old bus engine, venison stew after a day of skiing at Gore, animated discussions about a 12-point buck while enjoying a hunter's cocktail, hikes in Beaver Meadows, racing boats on Blue Mountain Lake, mustard pickles and fresh horseradish, summer parties on the porch of the Blue Mountain Lake Inn (belly dancers welcome) - Pat touched us all. The life of Patrick J. Cunningham will be celebrated on Saturday, July 24, at Cunningham's Ski Barn, 3268 State Route 28, North Creek beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a memorial service at 11 a.m. and a barbeque and stories to follow. All who knew and loved Pat are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to the North Country Ministry, in memory of Patrick J. Cunningham, P.O. Box 478, Warrensburg, NY, 12885. Friends are encouraged to submit stories of Pat for a memory book to deborahcunningham11@yahoo.com.