Charles "Jim" J. Cunningham

Charles James “Jim” Cunningham, 94, of Rockford, passed away on July 9, 2023, at Willows Health Center. He was born on October 3, 1928, in Rockford, the son of Charles James and June F. (Frost) Cunningham. He was raised by Tillie May Pink and her son, Leonard, and daughter, Ruth. He graduated from West High School, class of 1946, and attended Carthage College. He married Mary Ann Rowand of St. Augustine, Florida on July 25, 1953, in Rockford. She preceded him in death on November 4, 2011. Jim worked many jobs over the years, starting as a butcher’s assistant then grocery clerk, auto mechanic, USPS mail carrier, trucking company dispatcher, and retired as the Vice President and Corporate Secretary from Rockford Hardware Manufacturing Company after 47 years. He served in the U.S. Regular Army as a T4 Staff Sergeant from 1946 – 1947, in Kawasaki, Japan. Jim enjoyed astronomy, sports cars, watching auto racing, and along with his wife, collecting art of all types. He loved traveling and taking the family on numerous vacations including Florida, California, Texas, Washington D.C., the British Isles, and Spain. He visited 46 out of the 50 states. Along with Mary, he enjoyed traveling abroad to New Zealand, Canada, and the Danube River on trips with the Foundation for International Cooperation (FIC), of which he held the office of President for several years.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Catherine “Kitty” (Cliff) Leiser of Rockford, Mary Elizabeth Cunningham of Austin, Texas, Julie (Brian) Robinson of Shawnee, Kansas, and Margaret “Meg” Cunningham of Rockford; grandchildren, Cliff Leiser, Charlie (Lupe Rocha) Leiser, Gregory (Anna) Thompson, William Thompson, James “J.J.” Huggins, Jack Robinson, and Sam Robinson; and great granddaughter, Violet May Leiser. He is predeceased by his father, Charles James Cunningham; stepmother, Asa “Ace” Cunningham; foster mother Tillie May Pink and foster siblings, Leonard Pink and Ruth Engelkes; grandson, Thomas Andrew Huggins; and beloved wife of 58 years, Mary Ann Cunningham.

The family would like to extend a thank you to the many nurses, CNA’s, aides, and staff who cared for Jim for the four years he lived at Wesley Willows.

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm with a recitation of the Rosary at 5:00 pm at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 10:30 am at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61107, with Father Akan Simon officiating. A visitation will also take place prior to Mass starting at 9:30 am. Entombment in Calvary Mausoleum. Serving as Pallbearers are Cliff Leiser, Charlie Leiser, Gregory Thompson, William Thompson, James “JJ” Huggins, Jack Robinson, and Sam Robinson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesley Willows Good Samaritan Fund at www.wesleywillows.org or mail donations to 4141 N. Rockton Avenue, Rockford, IL 61103. Please share memories and condolences online.