George Bernard

Cunningham II, 80

WILMINGTON - George Bernard Cunningham II of Carrboro, N.C., and Wilmington died Wednesday, July 11, 2007, in his home in Carrboro, surrounded by his wife, family, friends and pets. He was 80.

Mr. Cunningham was born Aug. 13, 1926, in Manhattan.

He was proud to serve in the U.S. Army. His combat experience in World War II included service under General Patton in the 3rd Division as tank crewman, participation in the Battle of the Budge and liberation of the concentration camp in Dachau.

Mr. Cunningham followed in his father"s tradition in the Union, leaving the Cunningham family mark on bridges, airports, the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center Twin Towers, the World"s Fair and many other buildings, golf communities, hospitals and homes on the East Coast. His Union experience spanned 60 years of service.

Mentoring and sponsoring friends, family and others for over 40 years, he shared unconditional love and his experience, strength and hope to serve others.

His Roman Catholic faith, special devotion to Mary and spiritual living carried him through life. Faith enabled him to match calamity with serenity.

Mr. Cunningham loved to teach by stories with a live principle embedded in each.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theresa and George; his sister, Mary Shepherd of Delaware; brothers, James and Joseph of New York; and his first wife, Rose Marie Mazza of South Carolina.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia O"Leary Cunningham; a sister, Murial O"Donnald of Florida; a son, George Cunningham III, and his wife, Michelle, of North Carolina; his daughters, Debbie Ward and her husband, Larry, of Maryland, and Suzanne Ambriz and her husband, Pete, of Texas; grandchildren, Zachary Ward, Amy Ward Leopold, Carlos Ambriz and Amber Cunningham; a great-granddaughter, Heather Rose Leopold; many nieces and nephews; children of his late sister, Mary Shepherd, his sister, Murial O"Donnald, and his brothers, James and Joseph; 11 brothers and sisters and family in the O"Leary family; and friends in Delaware and North Carolina.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. today in Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Rd., Pike Creek.

A Mass of Christian burial will be 9:30 a.m. Monday in St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington.

Burial will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.

Memorial contributions can be made to Building Renovation Fund of the Little Sisters of the Poor of Wilmington, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE; or to the VET Center, VAMROC-Building 3, 1601 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805.