William J. Cunningham.
William J. Cunningham, 89, a lifelong resident of Haverhill, died Saturday, Aug. 15, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Born and raised in Haverhill, son of the late Henry and Delia (Dodier) Cunningham, he attended Haverhill schools.
Mr. Cunningham established Coastal Industries Inc. of Haverhill in 1973 and served as President of the window and door manufacturing and sales company located in the Newark Street Industrial Park. He was a member of All Saints Parish and the former Saint Joseph Parish.
A loyal Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan, Mr. Cunningham was a devoted grandfather and great grandfather. He never spent money frivolously or on himself, and in his younger years, he delighted in loading up one of his vehicles with all of his grandchildren and some of their friends and regularly treating them to ice cream after dinner and Friday nights out to supper. He enjoyed spending time at his cottage at Balch Lake in Wakefield, NH and trips across the country. More recently, he enjoyed trips to Encore in Everett. He was known as a good hardworking man with a great sense of humor.
He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Maureen O. (Whitcomb) Cunningham, two sons, William J. Cunningham, Jr. and his wife Gail and Blaise W. Cunningham and his wife Linda, all of Haverhill, a daughter Marcia Rothauge and her husband Fred of Simms, Texas, nine grandchildren, Miranda Thistlewood and Allison Simpson, Nathan Langevin and his wife Kendra and Lisa Kelly, all of Haverhill, Brandy Colarusso and her husband Shawn of Newton, N.H., and Blaise J. Cunningham of Haverhill, Jessica Legere of Haverhill, Cate Lanouette and Mike Rideout, both of Newton, N.H., also 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter Lisa Cunningham in 1976 and also by four brothers and four sisters.
A private family graveside service will be held in Saint Joseph Cemetery at a later date under the direction of Berube-Comeau Funeral Home, of Haverhill. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation @ cff.org, or at 4550 Montgomery Ave., Suite 1100 N, Bethesda, MD 20814.