RICHARD CHARLES CUNNINGHAM

CHARLOTTE — Richard Charles Cunningham, 84, of Charlotte, Vt., died on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, at The Arbors in Shelburne, Vt., with family at his bedside.

He was born on Dec. 26, 1939, in Addison, Vt. His parents, Eldred Dudley Warfield Cunningham and Lilah Dorothy LaRose Delorme, raised him and his seven siblings in Vergennes, Vt.

Richard graduated from Vergennes High School, Class of ’59, the last class to graduate from the old high school. He joined the 101st Airborne Division serving as a paratrooper, making 13 jumps, while stationed in Stuttgart, West Germany, for two years.

Richard had several careers during his lifetime, including woodworking and carpentry. He owned a rubbish business in Vergennes. He served on the Vergennes City Council and as a Vergennes Water Commissioner. Richard’s final career for 25 years was in Marine Surveying, after graduating from Chapman’s School of Seamanship in Stuart, Fla. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and Vermont Antique Boat Association.

His first marriage was to Patty McKay while stationed at Fort Myer, Arlington, Va. His next marriage was to Claire Marie Adams of Vergennes. They raised two daughters, Ragan Ann and Leigh and husband Paul Cousino, both of Vergennes. Leigh has two sons, Nicolas Isaac Cunningham and his wife Kaitlin (Cusson) and their son Killian James Cunningham and Matthias Christopher Cormier and his partner Laura Matuszak. Richard’s great-grandson Killiam James Cunningham is the son of Nicolas and Kaitlin Cusson Cunningham.

On July 4, 1980, he married Harriet Stone Patrick, “Happy,” of Charlotte. Together they enjoyed 40-plus years of projects restoring several historic homes in Charlotte, travel and gatherings with friends and family. Richard was so happy at the helm of his boat with Happy at his side, whether exploring the Erie Canal or heading south on the Intracoastal Waterway. He surely loved his daughters, grandsons and great-grandson.

Richard is survived by Happy and his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandson. He also leaves sister Lucille Nelson of Sharon, Conn.; brother David and his partner Catherine Monroe Sargent of Waltham, Vt.; sister-in-law Clara Chamberlain Cunningham of Vergennes; sister Kim Delorme Laughner; his two stepsons, Adam Boyd Dantzscher of St. George, Vt., and Robert Christopher Dantzscher and Cyndie Coffrin of Monroe, Wash.; Adam’s daughter Meridith Anne Dantzscher of Malden, Mass.; Christopher’s two sons, Corbin Casey Dantzscher of St. Paul, Minn. and Casey Christopher Dantzscher of Surprise, Ariz., and daughter Cassandra Caitlin Dantzscher of Monroe, Wash; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard was predeceased by his brother Eldred Jr. sister-in-law Arlene LaFlam, brother Leonard, sister Rosaline and her husband Laurence Casey, and sister Beverly and her husband Floyd Peck.

The Cunningham and Patrick families would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to The Arbors for the wonderful care Richard received for almost two years, and to Hospice, who were there when they were needed.

There will be a reception of remembrance for Richard at the Vergennes Opera House on Main Street on Sept. 28, 2024, from 3 to 5 p.m. Richard is finally coming home.

Cremation services by Ready Funeral Home. ◊