Obituary of William D. Cunningham

Cunningham, William D. age 90, of Palisades Park, on July 11, 2016. He was born in South Lawrence, Massachusetts and served his country proudly in the Navy during WWII. He was an Entertainer. Beloved husband of Maureen nee; Cathcart. Devoted father of Dennis Michael Cunningham, Diane Margaret Petersen and the twins William David Cunningham and Heather Eileen Cunningham. Loving brother of the late Claire Murray and Lt. Col. Robert Cunningham. Bill was a Soloist at age 12 on a 50,000-watt radio station, then a lyric baritone on his own show at 16, with then-unknown Ed McMahon as announcer. Bill donned a naval uniform (our side) and patrolled the bridge of a destroyer in the North Atlantic. His next patrol was in the halls of Boston University in the daytime, and singing in cabarets at night. This singing impressionist became a comic when he saw the contract of the comic on his show and went home and learned two jokes! Bill advanced to be the opening act for some twenty recording stars. Performances with Louis Armstrong, the McGuire Sisters, Miss Diahann Carroll, Tom Jones, brilliant Italian tenor Sergio Franchi, Rosie Clooney, Tony winner Nell Carter, "Fiddler on the Roof" Theodore Bikel. A Broadway audition got him the lead in an "industrial show" with a cast of twelve singers and dancers to tour the world for major corporations in Madrid, Cancun, Estoril Portugal, Acapulco, Hawaii and Japan. Bill is especially proud as a solo comic at the opening of Loews Monte Carlo with the Prince and Princess (Grace Kelly) of Monaco and young family, Prince Albert and Caroline. Other celebs at ringside were David Niven and Rex Harrison. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, worked in films with Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, also Actors Equity, AFTRA, and the Friars Club, Fort Lee Lions Club and V.F.W Post # 2342. The family will receive their friends on Thursday 3:00 – 7:00 PM at the Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home 327 Main Street "opposite the Fort Lee Library". The funeral will leave Friday at 10:30 AM for the celebration of his funeral mass in St. Matthew's R C Church at 11:00 AM. For condolences, directions, or information or call (201) 944-0100 or www.frankpatti.com