Obituary for Rev. John Thompson Cunningham
The Reverend John Thompson Cunningham, 87, of Pittsfield, was called into the Lord's presence on Saturday, September 25th, 2021.
He was born in farm country of western Pennsylvania, in DuBois, PA on April 29th, 1934 of John Thompson Cunningham and Sarah Agnes Shirey. As a teenager, he dedicated his life to Christian ministry at a prayer service in the Salvation Army and served the Lord until the very end of his life, preaching, visiting and praying with the sick and dying, advocating for the less fortunate, and counseling people in need; following the lesson laid out in the New Testament: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." He studied at the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago (1952-54), The Philadelphia College of Bible, (1954-55) and The Reformed Episcopal Seminary of Philadelphia (1954-58). He was awarded a Master of Divinity from Berkshire Christian College (1984-85).
He was pastor at several churches throughout his long career in Pennsylvania and across New England. Reverend Cunningham was an engaging conversationalist, avid reader, writer, and historian. A special study of his was the life and ministry of David Brainerd and Jonathan Edwards, and he conducted tours of Stockbridge, MA to introduce area Congregationalists to their theological roots in the Puritan faith. He also loved to paint country landscapes, tend to his vegetable garden, and cook beautiful meals for family and friends.
Rev. Cunningham taught middle and high school at Masters Christian School in Pittsfield for five years and was a Behavioral Counselor at Sullivan and Associates in Pittsfield for 17 years.
Before coming to the Berkshires, he was a member of the Conservative Baptist Association of PA. He then served with the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference and held the office of moderator for the Hudson Valley Congregational Fellowship for many years.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 62 years Jacqueline (Armstrong) Cunningham; daughters Genet JeanJean (husband Philippe) of France, Michele Smith (husband James) of Pittsfield, Kristen Jackson (husband John) of Pittsfield and son Barry Cunningham (wife Debra) of Grantham, NH; his dear sister Susan Thompson of Reynoldsville, PA (husband Todd); four grandchildren Nathanael Jackson (wife Emily) of Pittsfield, Alexandria (husband Jonathan) of Pittsfield, Sarah and Spencer Cunningham of Grantham, NH, and his great-grandchild. The family takes comfort in the promise, of 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
He is predeceased by a brother, David Cunningham of Sykesville, PA.
There will be a private memorial service for the family.
In lieu of flowers, Rev. Cunningham had requested that donations may be made to one of his favorite charities The Gideons International, through Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Condolences and remarks may be posted on www.DeryFuneralHome.com
He was born in farm country of western Pennsylvania, in DuBois, PA on April 29th, 1934 of John Thompson Cunningham and Sarah Agnes Shirey. As a teenager, he dedicated his life to Christian ministry at a prayer service in the Salvation Army and served the Lord until the very end of his life, preaching, visiting and praying with the sick and dying, advocating for the less fortunate, and counseling people in need; following the lesson laid out in the New Testament: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." He studied at the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago (1952-54), The Philadelphia College of Bible, (1954-55) and The Reformed Episcopal Seminary of Philadelphia (1954-58). He was awarded a Master of Divinity from Berkshire Christian College (1984-85).
He was pastor at several churches throughout his long career in Pennsylvania and across New England. Reverend Cunningham was an engaging conversationalist, avid reader, writer, and historian. A special study of his was the life and ministry of David Brainerd and Jonathan Edwards, and he conducted tours of Stockbridge, MA to introduce area Congregationalists to their theological roots in the Puritan faith. He also loved to paint country landscapes, tend to his vegetable garden, and cook beautiful meals for family and friends.
Rev. Cunningham taught middle and high school at Masters Christian School in Pittsfield for five years and was a Behavioral Counselor at Sullivan and Associates in Pittsfield for 17 years.
Before coming to the Berkshires, he was a member of the Conservative Baptist Association of PA. He then served with the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference and held the office of moderator for the Hudson Valley Congregational Fellowship for many years.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 62 years Jacqueline (Armstrong) Cunningham; daughters Genet JeanJean (husband Philippe) of France, Michele Smith (husband James) of Pittsfield, Kristen Jackson (husband John) of Pittsfield and son Barry Cunningham (wife Debra) of Grantham, NH; his dear sister Susan Thompson of Reynoldsville, PA (husband Todd); four grandchildren Nathanael Jackson (wife Emily) of Pittsfield, Alexandria (husband Jonathan) of Pittsfield, Sarah and Spencer Cunningham of Grantham, NH, and his great-grandchild. The family takes comfort in the promise, of 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
He is predeceased by a brother, David Cunningham of Sykesville, PA.
There will be a private memorial service for the family.
In lieu of flowers, Rev. Cunningham had requested that donations may be made to one of his favorite charities The Gideons International, through Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Condolences and remarks may be posted on www.DeryFuneralHome.com