James F. Cunningham

 

Jim was predeceased by his mother and father, Claire Cunningham and Robert M. Cunningham, and he has left behind his brothers, Peter and William [Billy].

 

Jim had great love for the Town of Lincoln, for his alma mater Cornell, and for Kent Island, off the coast of Grand Manan in Canada.

 

Born, raised and educated in Lincoln, Jim was a devoted community volunteer.  Jim single-handedly organized, implemented and managed the Town’s local cable television program, helping to increase access to the activities of town government and other community events.  Jim possessed a keen engineering mind and a small-town sensibility about managing budgets.  Jim served for decades completely without compensation.  The Select Board used the occasion of the March, 2022 Annual Town Meeting to honor Jim by presenting him with the Annual Bright Light award.  Additionally, working closely with Save Our Heritage, he was project manager for the restoration of the Barrett house in Concord.

 

Jim graduated from Cornell University with an undergraduate and master’s degree in electrical engineering. As an undergraduate student he was business manager, photo editor and editor-in-chief of the yearbook for two years. Since graduation, Jim has remained involved as a volunteer, advocate and donor to Cornell. He served on the advisory board for Systems Engineering, and spent time teaching students about systems engineering and its tools. And in recent years he established the James F. Cunningham ’71 Assistant Director of Student Project Teams in the College of Engineering with an endowed gift. Mostly Jim talked about his time working with students and fellow Cornellians with great affection.

      

Jim Cunningham's perseverance and talent brought Kent Island's weather station into modern times. What his father started in 1938 continues today, available to the world on the web, thanks in great part to his son.

 

A private graveside service will be held at Lincoln Cemetery.  Jim's  public memorial service will be announced at a later date.