The Cunninghams
The Cunninghams
Two Paths, One Journey.
Rita grew up in Philadelphia, a city rich with history. Her early years were filled with the vibrancy of city life and the close-knit bonds of her family.
Throughout her life, she has been a pillar of strength and grace, raising three sons and creating a home filled with love. Her background is a tapestry of faith, resilience, and joy.
Coming from a small town in New York, Don brought with him the values of hard work and integrity. His journey led him to serve his country and eventually to meet the love of his life, Rita.
Don's life is marked by his dedication to his family and his unwavering faith. He has been a role model for his sons and grandchildren alike.
From Cape May to Sarasota, a life of adventure and faith.
After marrying, we moved to Kodiak, then Territory of Alaska, and then to Adak, where Donnie was born. We lived in a small apartment on the side of a hill apart from the main base. Don's ship left on a 2-month patrol shortly after. Rita has stories about getting a driver's license, driving along the edge of a cliff, and even driving without brakes!
Don roamed Alaska from Kodiak to Attu (1500 miles - at the end of the Aleutians) and North to Point Hope (above the Arctic Circle). Service Aids to Navigation often meant paddling ashore in rubber rafts and jumping from pitching boats onto rocks. Exciting days!
Quarters O-36, US Naval Station, Adak. Rita as Fidel Castro at an O-Club party. Donnie at 5 and 9 months. Don as Executive Officer of the USCGC CLOVER. Don cutting hair (everyone cheered when he retired as barber!). Incredible Alaskan salmon fishing.
Donnie & his Dad & Mom. Don visited villages in Alaska - here's Kotzebue.
David, our wonderful second son, was born here. He grew up fast and fought hard to stay up with Donnie.
Don was a USCG Marine Inspector of ships and barges, worked issuing merchant marine licenses, and was an Investigating Officer. One of his large cases was the tragic collision of the MV BOHEME and the towboat BONNIE D with a tow of crude oil.
Picnics, Halloween costumes, and playing in the neighborhood. Donnie and Dave were a delightful twosome.
Our wonderful third son, Dennis, arrived. Don worked in the new Rules of the Road Branch at USCG Headquarters, helping rewrite US navigation rules.
Then, Don became Commanding Officer of the USCGC WOODBINE, a 180' buoy tender homeported in Grand Haven, Michigan. Don took Donnie & Dave on several trips on Lake Michigan. Rita was a very active Mom, putting together fashion shows and even acting in little theatre.
Grand Haven (Coast Guard Town USA) treated us as family. We built a fort and even an outside skating rink in the winter!
Next was Cleveland for Marine Industry Training, then Chicago as XO, Marine Safety Office, Chicago for three years. Those were good camping years with the "big tent". Rita finally drew the line on primitive camping! Chicago was a cold, tough town, but the boys did well in school.
In 1970, we transferred to sunny St. Petersburg, FL, where Don commanded the USCGC STEADFAST. We enrolled Dave and Dennis in Northside Christian School.
It all started here! Rita's heart was touched for Jesus when she attended the September 7, 1971 PTA meeting. We began attending Northside Baptist Church. Our lives changed here as The Lord, in His graciousness, gave us His free gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-10). PTL. Our lives were changed forever!
Don became Captain-of-the-Port, Cleveland. 1202 Homeland Drive, Rocky River, was a wonderful family home.
We served at Columbia Rd Baptist Church. Rita led "The Jesus Generation" group and the bus ministry with the "Purple People Picker-Upper!" It was hard work, but many came to Christ.
Don advanced to Captain and received orders to a 378' Cutter in San Francisco, but decided to retire in 1978 and enter Christian education.
Don taught math at The King's Academy. Donnie graduated from UC, Dave went to Palm Beach Atlantic College, and Den graduated from Lake Worth Christian HS. Don received his Masters in Christian Ed from Grace Seminary.
We went West where Don ran Christian High Schools in California and Texas. Eventually, we moved back to Florida where Don ran Faith Christian School in Sarasota.
We now enjoy retirement, but remain active in ministry. We regularly visit our Sons, their wives, and our Grandchildren.
Family reunions, Mummers Contests, and visiting the Cunningham gravesite in Canada.
From 50th Anniversary celebrations to visits to Cape May where it all began, we cherish our time together.
