Obituary of James Hugh Cunningham

James H. Cunningham, 59, of Roseland, NJ died on December 2, 2025 from complications related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS-Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He was surrounded by his family and supported by the compassionate care team at Villa Marie Claire Hospice in Saddle River, NJ.

Jim was born on February 11, 1966 to Marion (nee Harrington) and John R. “Dick” Cunningham of West Orange, NJ.  He was the youngest of seven siblings. Jim attended Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School for eight years and graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory High School in 1984. Jim earned his undergraduate degree in Recreation Administration from Kean University. He lived and worked within a three mile radius of his birthplace his entire life. He led a rich, fulfilling life that was centered around his family, friends and deep investment in his communities.

Both personally and professionally, Jim loved to create opportunities for community, connection and belonging - whether it was celebrating a  holiday, organizing a camp-out, building a new playground or managing a recreation sports league. A passionate outdoorsman who swore he could never “work at a desk”, Jim was coaxed at age 23 to leave a job he loved as a groundskeeper with the West Orange Department of Public Works to become a program coordinator with the township’s department of Parks & Recreation. The job was indoors and he did have a desk, but he found his calling.  Jim served the West Orange community for over twenty years.  In addition to developing and managing youth sports programs, he helped lead initiatives in the areas of open space preservation and inclusion programs for children and young adults with special needs. He served as Director of Community Services for Verona Township from 2007 to 2023, overseeing sports and recreation programs, senior programming, health services and vital statistics/registrar. During his 35 year tenure in both municipalities, Jim worked to build community recreation programs that supported inclusion of people with developmental differences. He served in several leadership positions with the New Jersey Recreation Professionals Association and received numerous local and state awards and citations for his professional contributions to his field.

It was through his participation in a program for Catholic young adults (SEARCH) in the early 1990s that Jim was first introduced to the joys of hiking and camping, which became a life-long passion. Jim would take any opportunity to join or organize a campout or hike with friends, family or strangers. He was especially proud of three back-packing trips through the Grand Canyon and leading a group of Boy Scouts on a 40 mile hike of the Appalachian trail through Essex County during the COVID pandemic.  Jim organized a camping trip on the islands in Lake George, NY which has become an annual family tradition for the past 35 years, creating priceless memories and cherished traditions for 3 generations of his family. He was a devoted parent volunteer with his local Cub Scout (pack 801) and Boy Scout troops, eventually serving as committee member/chair (2013-2018) and Scout Master (2019-2023) of Scout Troop 3 - Caldwell. He heartily supported his sons throughout their scouting journey and loved camping and spending time outdoors with them. He was a gentle, caring, and wise mentor to all of the scouts he worked with and he would often say that his volunteering with the Scouts of America was one of the most fulfilling chapters of his life.  He is the proud parent of two Eagle Scouts.

Jim is survived by his wife of 26 years, Mary (née Burke) and his sons John (Jack) Cunningham, 24 and Brennan Cunningham, 20. Although Jim accepted his diagnosis of ALS with exceptional grace, he never stopped fighting to live as many days as he could to be with Mary and his sons, who he adored and who were graced to be at his bedside as he drew his last breath. His family felt deeply privileged to love and care for him at home through each loss of capacity he endured over two and half years.

Jim is also survived by his siblings, John & Maureen Cunningham, Ann Cunningham, Michael & Aileen Cunningham, Daniel & Judene Cunningham and Thomas & Kristen Cunningham; his sister & brother-in-law, Anne & Philip Napoli; 12 nieces and nephews; 9 great nieces and nephews - all of whom he nurtured with attention, love and affection. Jim was predeceased by his parents, his sister Kathleen Amann and his niece, Kassandra Amann.

Jim was loved by many cherished friends and possessed a great gift for friendship.  He loved to support his friends in times of joy or sorrow - and he especially loved bringing people together. Jim and his family were so grateful for the constant outpouring of love and support they received from Jim’s friends over the two-year course of his illness, including a final hiking trip in Zion National Park which was organized and attended by 11 of his best SHP buddies.

Visiting for James will be held on Friday December 5, 2025 from 3:00 to 8:00 PM at Dangler Funeral Home of West Orange, 340 Main St. in West Orange.

A Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday December 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1 Eagle Rock Ave. in West Orange. Cremation will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family is grateful for donations in his memory to the  Push for Progress To End ALS Campaign at IAMALS.ORG