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November 12, 2023
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 from 4-8 PM. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 at the funeral home.
John "JC" Cunningham, age 88 of Oakland and formerly of Towaco, died peacefully at home on Sunday, November 12, 2023 surrounded by his wife, Marge and daughters, Lori and Debbie.
Raised in Irvington, NJ, John spent his formative years in Wayne, NJ, where he graduated from Wayne High School in 1953. A man of strong work ethic, John began working as a delivery truck driver for Circle Building Supply in Wayne when he was just a teenager. After several weeks of driving the delivery truck, he asked his boss if he could have an afternoon off. When his boss asked him why, John explained that he didn’t have a driver’s license and it might be a good idea to get one. In 1958, duty called and John was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving with honor until 1960.
Upon returning from service, John drove trucks for several area companies, and he owned and operated his own dump truck as well, delivering stone, fill, and topsoil throughout the Northern New Jersey area. His love of cars found him operating Little Falls Auto Repair from 1977 to 1985. During this time, he owned a race car, and weekends were synonymous with family trips to the Orange County, NY racetrack. Racing was part of John’s soul, and his enthusiasm for racing was infectious, creating lasting memories for his family and friends.
Later in his career, John worked as a dedicated truck driver for Dan Como and Sons in Towaco, NJ. He retired from there on July 2, 2008, the same day his beloved wife Marge retired from her job. A true perfectionist, John insisted on doing things his way, leaving a legacy of excellence in everything he touched. His cherished 1999 Chevy Silverado Pickup truck, meticulously maintained by John himself, stands as a testament to his care and pride.
In January of 1961, during a significant snowstorm, fate intervened when John came to the aid of Marge Douma, helping to free her car from a snowdrift. She was out cruising in her father’s ’51 Chevy, which she was sure could never get stuck in anything…until it did. This chance encounter led to a cup of coffee. Soon thereafter, John took her out on a first date, showing up to her house wearing a suit. Marge’s mother was very impressed, and she loved John even before Marge had a chance to get to know him! After many fun nights at the bowling alley, the beginnings of their love story unfolded. They married on October 27, 1962, followed by a honeymoon in Miami Beach. Throughout their journey together, they lived in Hawthorne and Pompton Plains before settling into their family home in Towaco, NJ, where they shared twenty-five years of love and laughter. In 2008, after retiring, John and Marge embarked on a new chapter in Mooresville, NC, where they lived near their daughter and grandchildren. More recently they moved to Oakland, NJ to be near to their other daughter, always keeping family close.
A man of diverse interests, John had a soft spot for his cats. Over the years, he welcomed five beloved cats into his home, each leaving paw prints on his heart. There was Skeeter whose disposition earned him the nickname “Lucifer,” and then there was DJ (perhaps his favorite of all), and Miss Daisy, Mister, and Gary. He adored his cats and loved them all to the fullest.
John will be fondly remembered by his friends and loved ones. He is survived by his loving wife, Marge (nee Douma), his two daughters: Lori Brolsma and her husband Larry of Mooresville, NC and Debbie Tuit and her husband Ray of Oakland, NJ; five grandchildren: Ashley Bryan (Chris), Chuck Zulovitz, Alexandra Zulovitz, Shelby Dench (Kyle), Garrett Brolsma (Karlyn); seven great-grandchildren: Clara, Bonham, Tyler, Erica, Colin, Sula, and Prescott, and one brother: Robert Cunningham (Ellie) of Columbia, SC. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Cunningham.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 from 4-8 PM. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 at the funeral home.
November 12, 2023
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 from 4-8 PM. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 at the funeral home.
John "JC" Cunningham, age 88 of Oakland and formerly of Towaco, died peacefully at home on Sunday, November 12, 2023 surrounded by his wife, Marge and daughters, Lori and Debbie.
Raised in Irvington, NJ, John spent his formative years in Wayne, NJ, where he graduated from Wayne High School in 1953. A man of strong work ethic, John began working as a delivery truck driver for Circle Building Supply in Wayne when he was just a teenager. After several weeks of driving the delivery truck, he asked his boss if he could have an afternoon off. When his boss asked him why, John explained that he didn’t have a driver’s license and it might be a good idea to get one. In 1958, duty called and John was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving with honor until 1960.
Upon returning from service, John drove trucks for several area companies, and he owned and operated his own dump truck as well, delivering stone, fill, and topsoil throughout the Northern New Jersey area. His love of cars found him operating Little Falls Auto Repair from 1977 to 1985. During this time, he owned a race car, and weekends were synonymous with family trips to the Orange County, NY racetrack. Racing was part of John’s soul, and his enthusiasm for racing was infectious, creating lasting memories for his family and friends.
Later in his career, John worked as a dedicated truck driver for Dan Como and Sons in Towaco, NJ. He retired from there on July 2, 2008, the same day his beloved wife Marge retired from her job. A true perfectionist, John insisted on doing things his way, leaving a legacy of excellence in everything he touched. His cherished 1999 Chevy Silverado Pickup truck, meticulously maintained by John himself, stands as a testament to his care and pride.
In January of 1961, during a significant snowstorm, fate intervened when John came to the aid of Marge Douma, helping to free her car from a snowdrift. She was out cruising in her father’s ’51 Chevy, which she was sure could never get stuck in anything…until it did. This chance encounter led to a cup of coffee. Soon thereafter, John took her out on a first date, showing up to her house wearing a suit. Marge’s mother was very impressed, and she loved John even before Marge had a chance to get to know him! After many fun nights at the bowling alley, the beginnings of their love story unfolded. They married on October 27, 1962, followed by a honeymoon in Miami Beach. Throughout their journey together, they lived in Hawthorne and Pompton Plains before settling into their family home in Towaco, NJ, where they shared twenty-five years of love and laughter. In 2008, after retiring, John and Marge embarked on a new chapter in Mooresville, NC, where they lived near their daughter and grandchildren. More recently they moved to Oakland, NJ to be near to their other daughter, always keeping family close.
A man of diverse interests, John had a soft spot for his cats. Over the years, he welcomed five beloved cats into his home, each leaving paw prints on his heart. There was Skeeter whose disposition earned him the nickname “Lucifer,” and then there was DJ (perhaps his favorite of all), and Miss Daisy, Mister, and Gary. He adored his cats and loved them all to the fullest.
John will be fondly remembered by his friends and loved ones. He is survived by his loving wife, Marge (nee Douma), his two daughters: Lori Brolsma and her husband Larry of Mooresville, NC and Debbie Tuit and her husband Ray of Oakland, NJ; five grandchildren: Ashley Bryan (Chris), Chuck Zulovitz, Alexandra Zulovitz, Shelby Dench (Kyle), Garrett Brolsma (Karlyn); seven great-grandchildren: Clara, Bonham, Tyler, Erica, Colin, Sula, and Prescott, and one brother: Robert Cunningham (Ellie) of Columbia, SC. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Cunningham.
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