Obituary of Dr. James F. Cunningham, M.D.

Dr. James F. Cunningham , 12/6/1918 to 2/16/2015 James F. Cunningham, born on December 6, 1918, in New York, NY, was the oldest of five children. He received his Bachelors of Science degree from City College in New York and his Medical Degree from Howard University Medical School. In 1942, he married Margaret Barnes of Brooklyn, NY. During the Korean War Cunningham performed his military service through four years in the Public Health Service at the Tuberculosis Hospital in Mt. Edgecombe, Alaska, after which he was appointed to the NYS Department of Health in Albany, NY as a Tuberculosis Clinician. Dr. Cunningham trained as a psychiatrist at Albany Medical Center School of Medicine, and became the Capital District’s first African American psychiatrist in 1964. He joined Ellis Hospital in Schenectady as a psychiatrist, maintained a private practice and was involved in community psychiatry, working closely with the police department and other social agencies. Dr. Cunningham was an active member of the NAACP with a particular interest in housing. Known affectionately as Doctor “C”, he was an active participant in the life of the community. He was a founding member of the local Friends of SNCC (The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) and a staunch supporter of The Hamilton Hill Arts Center and Black Dimensions in Art, two organizations founded by his wife, Margaret. She often said “ he was the wind beneath her wings.” He was Honorary Board of Directors of the One Hundred Black Men of the Albany, New York Capital Region, Inc. and a Chartered Member of the Beta Psi Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc.. He combined his interest in community with his profession in psychiatry by pioneering a relationship between the Schenectady Police Department and the Mental Health Department to improve the treatment of suspects with mental health problems. Dr. Cunningham’s interests were broad. He was an avid photographer, focusing on children and everyday people he observed in his travels and in the community. His work was exhibited on several occasions. He loved all kinds of music, especially jazz and enjoyed a huge collection of Jazz recordings. He loved to dance and in his earlier years won several prizes for his fancy jitterbug steps. Jim (as he was also known) was never one for the spotlight; he preferred to work behind the scenes. His casual dress and retiring ways hid a wicked sense of humor and sly wit. Some said he could have been a comedian. He was thrifty to a fault, but generous of spirit and would help anyone in need. He was not interested in formal religion except as a resource to strengthen the community, but he lived a life governed by generosity of spirit, love of family, faith in our ability to do better, appreciation of the outdoors, and giving and sharing what he had with those in need. Dr. Cunningham is survived by his wife Margaret of over 70 years, daughters Margaret (Miki) Conn of Schenectady and Fern Cunningham Terry (Alvin Terry) of Boston, his sister Ruth Tucker of the Bronx, grandchildren Lisa Conn Robinson, Anthony Conn, Rachel Conn, Kumasi Allen, Shandalea Abdul-Hadi, Kahlil Allen, Autumn Allen, 16 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Dr. Cunningham was predeceased by a grandson, Marcus Conn. The family extends grateful appreciation to the aides who went above and beyond to see that in his last days he felt loved, comfortable and peaceful. A memorial service will be held on a date to be announced.