Educator, self-taught printer, author
Published April 22, 2021
WESTFIELD, Vt. — James “Jim” C. Cunningham, 67, died peacefully in his home on April 11, 2021 in Westfield, Vt.
Jim was born on October 31, 1953 in Lynn, Mass., to Charles and Beverly Cunningham of Lynn. Jim and his family lived in North Reading for many years. They attended St. Theresa Parish and Jim graduated from Austin Preparatory School in Reading. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst with a BA in Early Christian Thought. Jim “reverted” back to the Catholic faith in 1973, which led him to explore contemplative monastic life, when he discovered his real vocation was not a thing or a lifestyle, but a person, and her name was Linda Williams. Jim married Linda in 1979 in Westfield, Vt.
After a career in education as a teacher, guidance counselor, and then headmaster, he taught himself offset printing and founded the publishing company, “Naturist LIFE International, Inc.,” in 1993. Jim authored several books, including “Nudity and Christianity,” “Our Wonderful Bodies!” and “Vermont Unveiled.” The Cunninghams moved to Vermont in 1982, establishing their family homestead on Carmel Road in Westfield where they raised their five children.
Jim is survived by his wife, Linda Cunningham of Westfield, Vt; his daughter and son-in-law, Kate and Kevin Bourgeois of Canon City, Colo.; his daughter and son-in-law, Therese and Roy Coats of Glenwood Springs, Colo.; his son and daughter-in-law, Major Melchizedech (USMC) and Jennifer Cunningham, of Jacksonville, N.C.; his daughter and son-in-law, Maureen and Larry Zimmerman of Johnson, Vt.; his son, TSGT Kazimir Cunningham (USAF) of Watertown, Mass.; his mother, Beverly Cunningham of Windham, N.H.; his sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Ed Dalton of Windham, N.H.; his sister and brother-in-law, Blaire and Jim McCarthy of Windham, N.H.; and his grandchildren, Indalee, Phoenix, Orion, Ryland, Savannah, Charlotte, Kathryn, Evelyn, Cassius, Connor (due June 11), and Kara. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Cunningham.
Jim’s funeral was held as a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Parish in Troy, Vt. on April 12. Following the Mass, there was a home burial in Westfield, Vt. Donations in his memory may be sent to his preferred charity, founded by St. Teresa of Calcutta, to: Missionary Servants of Charity, 335 E 14th St., Bronx, NY 10451.
Throughout Jim’s life, he bravely faced many adversities which claimed his sight and half a leg, including juvenile diabetes, two separate kidney transplants and a pancreas transplant. Throughout it all, he firmly set his eyes on God, never giving up, but working hard to support his family any way he could. He leaves behind a legacy of relentless faith, strong work ethic, and uncompromising biblical values.