John T. Cunningham: A rascal who left us better than he found us

The Four Old Parts perform 'Columbus' at service for John T. Cunningham at the Morristown United Methodist Church. Photo by Kevin Coughlin. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The Four Old Parts perform 'Columbus' at service for John T. Cunningham at the Morristown United Methodist Church. Photo by Kevin Coughlin. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Sometimes nice guys finish first.

The proof was in Morristown’s United Methodist Church on Saturday, as nearly 200 people celebrated the life of John T. Cunningham— author, historian, mentor and rascal–with music, stories and humor.

John died this month just short of his 97th birthday, leaving a legacy that extends beyond his 52 books about Morristown and New Jersey.

“John had this way of making you better,” eulogized Pastor Neill Tolboom, comparing him to a motorboat on a calm lake, “causing a wake that continued to go out, in love.”

Drew University President Robert Weisbuch remembers one of the school's most famous alumni, John T. Cunningham. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Drew University President Robert Weisbuch remembers one of the school's most famous alumni, John T. Cunningham. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

John started making waves at Drew University as sports editor of the school paper. At the Newark Evening News he explored New Jersey’s nooks and crannies. Books followed.

He made history fun, burnishing  commonplace events to a lustrous shine, enlightening readers about the wonders surrounding them, said his friend, Dick Floersheimer.

“John Cunningham had a passionate love affair with New Jersey–its history, its image, its people, its properties great and small, and its unique character. He would defend the state of New Jersey with all his might and against all detractors.”

And he did so with an engaging, repertorial style.

“He wrote like a reporter covering a story, which is exactly what he was. He wrote with rare clarity, wit, sagacity, charm, occasional sarcasm, and above all, with humor,” Dick said.

The results were Emersonian, said Drew University President Robert Weisbuch.

“Emerson wanted facts as symbols. He wanted the particulars of history to add up to the feeling of what it’s like to be alive, to be a human being. That’s what history actually can achieve. And it’s what John Cunningham did achieve,” he said.

The late John Cunningham and Judy Kendall last month, at Stephen B. Wiley tribute at the Morris Museum. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The late John Cunningham and Judy Kendall last month, at Stephen B. Wiley tribute at the Morris Museum. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

John’s literary gifts impressed an elementary school teacher named Judy Kendall, who used his writings in her social studies classes. Decades before they met, she felt like she knew John.

Both widowed, they became inseparable in John’s last years, attending church and cultural events, visiting England and making annual pilgrimages to the Yankees’ spring training camp in Florida.

“The story of John and Judy was a love story,” said Judy’s son, Douglas Kendall.

One of Judy’s granddaughters considered John a “really cool dude.” An autistic grandson also connected with “Grandpa John,” recognizing “a special calmness in his soul, a special kindness in his heart, and a twinkle in his eyes,” Douglas said.

The service was punctuated by a rollicking rendition of Rhapsody in Blue (“big and bombastic,” the way John liked it, said Pastor Neill) from another celebrated Morristown High School grad, jazz pianist Rio Clemente.

Rio also reeled off a rousing medley of The Battle Hymn of the Republic and the Air Force anthem to honor John’s military service. Soprano June Van Thoen, music director at the church, sang Amazing Grace and Brian Schoettler manned the organ.

Rio Clemente's fingers fly at Morristown memorial service for author and historian John T. Cunningham. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Rio Clemente's fingers fly at Morristown memorial service for author and historian John T. Cunningham. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

John had some rascal in him, according to Pastor Neill, and was known to enjoy the occasional ribald limerick. A barbershop quartet called the Four Old Parts crooned one of John’s favorite ditties, Columbus, about a sailor named Luigi who wanted to turn back.

More shades of John Cunningham emerged as the microphone made its way through the aisles.

Bob Cunningham called his uncle the best listener he ever knew.

“Uncle John took the time to listen to people, and when you talked to him, you knew he understood what you were trying to say. It was amazing… and when he listened to you, he would tell you not what you wanted to hear, but what you needed to hear. That’s a real gift. That’s why I am saying he was a great man, my life has been changed because of him, and I’ll miss him dearly.”

Others had life-changing conversations, too. As a copy boy at the old Newark Evening News, Bob Mitchell learned the ropes from John in 1947. When Bob embarked on a history of that paper he showed the first chapters to John and asked if he should continue.

“It’s a story that needs to be told,” John said. And so it was.

When a young sportswriter for the New York Post yearned for something more meaningful, he sought John’s advice.  “You should look into the culture of who you are, and where you’re from. You should go down that path, and you’ll never regret it,” John told Mark Di Ionno, now a Star-Ledger columnist and author.

“John’s life wasn’t about history,” Mark told the church. “It was about discovery, about discovering things that were right in front of us, and imparting that knowledge to a vast audience.”

Rich Rosenthal and Harry Carpenter, both active in local historical circles, said John’s passionate promotion of Morristown’s role in the Revolution–overshadowed by Valley Forge–will continue via the North Jersey American Revolution Round Table that he inspired. And John will endure as a symbol, said Keith Bodden, president of the Morris County Chapter of the NAACP.

“John’s life was a witness to the people that we are and that we should be,” Keith said.

Which means even more than the wonderful books, and the Emmy award, and the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, and all John’s other honors, Pastor Neill concluded.

“It was a really good run,” the minister said. “Almost 97 years of affecting people’s lives. And maybe when you take everything away, all the accomplishments of humankind, it only comes down to that, doesn’t it? Who have you affected in your life? Who have you made better? Who have you encouraged? Who have you loved? Who, when you look behind you, is better because you passed that way?  I know I’m better. I think all of you are better. So today, we celebrate the fact that we’re better because we knew John.”

VIDEOS, STORIES ABOUT JOHN T. CUNNINGHAM

 

The Four Old Parts perform 'Columbus' at service for John T. Cunningham at the Morristown United Methodist Church. Photo by Kevin Coughlin. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The Four Old Parts perform 'Columbus' at service for John T. Cunningham at the Morristown United Methodist Church. Photo by Kevin Coughlin. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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