In Memoriam
Jon E. C. Cunningham
1965-2026
COOPERSTOWN—It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Jon Edwin Christen Cunningham. He died unexpectedly on August 7, 2026 from a hemorrhagic stroke, probably the result of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
Jon was born on Wednesday, June 16, 1965 in Cleveland, Ohio, the oldest of five children of Allan and Linda (Hall) Cunningham. His first six years were spent in Cleveland, Cooperstown, Sisseton, South Dakota and Lake Oswego, Oregon. He began first grade back in Cooperstown in September 1971. Jon was an honor student at Cooperstown Central School and graduated in 1983. He held a Clark Scholarship and, after some ups and downs, graduated in 1990 from Cornell University with a BS in biology.
From the time he was in eighth grade, Jon’s passion was the guitar and rock music. It never brought the fame he was after, but he made records, developed a real skill in electronics and acquired a host of friends. He held an extraordinary variety of jobs, too numerous to list, but in 2004 he coauthored Volume II of the “Encyclopedia of Exploration” with Carl Waldman. Over the years Jon courted a few ladies but never married – something he regretted. For the last 10 years he has been a mainstay at the Fly Creek General Store and enjoyed engaging with customers. From all reports, the local residents looked forward to chatting and dealing with Jon.
Jon was a puzzle. He was kind and he had a tremendous capacity for friendship. At the same time, Jon had an abiding and unwholesome suspicion of public figures and public institutions, above and beyond the run of common opinion. We never understood why.
Jon is survived by his mother and father, Dr. Allan and Linda Cunningham of Bowerstown, and four siblings: Paul Cunningham and wife Michelle, and their daughters, Grace and Lucy of Glen Rock, New Jersey; Daniel Cunningham, who is currently serving with the Peace Corps in the Philippines, and his sons, Stephen and Ethan; Elizabeth Barnard and husband Joe of Tucson, Arizona and their children, Mason and Madeline; and Andrew Cunningham of Bowerstown.
We miss Jon. He left us much too soon.
A service in celebration of Jon’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, with the Rev. Jessica Lambert officiating. Immediately following the service everyone is welcome to gather in the chapel for refreshments and to remember Jon.
We thank Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home for their care and guidance.
Allen and Linda Cunningham
So many of us are saddened by this news and better for having known and experienced Jon. Yours is a beautifully-written tribute to a man who was indeed a puzzle but leaves a lasting legacy of stories and friendship. Sending condolences to you, your family, and all Jon’s friends across the miles and years.
Ted Potrikus
Tucson AZ
I just found out today. Spent many stops doing pest control and talking to Jon at the store. I was sad to hear of his passing. May God comfort his family and be there in their time of grief. Godspeed Jon on your next chapter. We will miss you!