George Cunningham, who climbed the political ladder to a state office and created a legacy of dedication and service, died Tuesday at his Tucson home. He was 80.
Cunningham, whose health had been on a decline for more than 10 years, died suddenly of a circulatory event, said Paul Cunningham, his son and city council member.
Cunningham on Wednesday reminisced about his father’s achievements in public service and the life lessons he passed to his family.
What started as a run for class president at Catalina High School where he graduated in 1963 would turn into a bustling, life-long career in local politics that took him to the state Legislature as a Democrat and to serve as chief of staff for former state governor Rose Mofford.
“My dad had one of the better runs as a public servant,” Paul wrote in a statement announcing his father’s passing. “He started that service early, as both an army reservist and as the assistant city manager of South Tucson,” as he attended U of A as a graduate student.
He lobbied on behalf of the University of Arizona and also served as a vice president at the school.
George Cunningham
Cunningham won a seat in the state House of Representatives in 1992. He won and served in Democratic leadership in the House and eventually the Senate in 1997.
In 2002, after running two unsuccessful campaigns, he found ways to continue to help his former constituents, Cunningham said of his father.
He soon became Gov. Janet Napolitano’s budget director and created the Grand Canyon Institute, which the elder Cunningham considered one of his greatest accomplishments, according to his son.
As his children grew older, and grandchildren began running about, Cunningham pulled back from the political realm to attend kids’ soccer and baseball games.
“I think in someways when I was growing up he was a workaholic,” Paul Cunningham said. “In some ways, I think he figured out that was a bad move, so by the time I was 17, he dialed things back and wanted to be more a part of our lives.”
Cunningham and his friends built old cars together, a passion Cunningham threw himself into after retirement. Together, the crew fixed up 25 cars in 15 years.
Cunningham says he thinks his father was proud of the work he’s doing for the city as a councilman, and his dedication to being a “man of the people”.
“I think he beams with pride, whether I’m a combat medic and reservist, or working the Circle K night shift,” Paul Cunningham said, describing his dad as his best friend and a great man. Someone full of jokes, and jabs, and a deep love for his wife, son, two daughters, and nine grandchildren.
Cunningham said his father was a man full of concern and pride for the state and his hometown, who often erased partisan lines for the betterment of those he was sworn to look after.
“He was an awesome dude,” Paul said. “He was my best friend and I’ve never felt so empty. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
George Cunningham is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marjorie Fisher Cunningham; his son, Paul (Alisa), his daughter, Eve Cunningham-Schvidler (Joe) of Tacoma, and daughter, Molly Carey (Joe) of Pasadena. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Joe, Kyle, Ben, Sophia, Alex, Lute, Brady, Lily and Susie.
