Thomas E. Cunningham, 83, of Speers, died on Friday, February 27, 2015. Born on June 8, 1931, he was the son of the late Edgar and Margaret Chalfant Cunningham.

He is a veteran of the US Army, serving from 1952-1954, and as a young man he worked as a riverboat pilot before retiring as an engineer from Monessen Southwestern Railroad. He was a member of Mary, Mother of the Church, the Charleroi Booster Club, and the Charleroi American Legion. He volunteered with youth baseball in Charleroi and with St. Vincent de Paul, and was an avid bowler, gardener and tinkerer.  He loved to support his kids and grandkids at everything they did and if it involved a chance to tailgate that was even better.  He will be remembered as an all around wonderful man.

Thomas is survived by his wife of 58 years, Helen T. (Hreha) Cunningham, of Speers; sons, Thomas Cunningham, and wife Judy, of Syracuse, NY, and Tim Cunningham, and wife Stephana, of Elkhart, IN; daughter, Peg Russell, and companion Bill Catalina, of Smithton; grandchildren, Alexandra, Thomas and Andrew Cunningham, T., Incala, and Ella Cunningham, and Jesse and Emma Russell; brother, William Cunningham, and wife Joanie, of Sarasota, FL; brother-in-law, Leon Smith, of Ft. Myers, FL; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his sister, Patricia Smith.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, in the CARL J. SPALLINO FUNERAL HOME, 819 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi, Joseph A. Lopez, funeral director. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, at Mary, Mother of the Church, celebrated by Rev. Jerry Mikonis. Interment will be at a later date in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

Contributions may be made to Mary, Mother of the Church, 624 Washington Ave., Charleroi.