Richard Charles Cunningham, 84, of Charlotte

RICHARD CHARLES CUNNINGHAM

CHARLOTTE — Richard Charles Cunningham, 84, of Charlotte, Vermont, passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at The Arbors in Shelburne, Vermont, surrounded by family.

He was born on December 26, 1939, in Addison, Vt. His parents, Eldred Dudley Warfield Cunningham and Lilah Dorothy LaRose Delorme, raised him and his seven siblings in Vergennes, Vt.

Richard graduated from Vergennes High School, class of ’59, the last class to graduate from the old high school. He joined the 101st Airborne Division, serving as a paratrooper, making 13 jumps, while stationed in Stuttgart, West Germany, for two years.

Richard had several careers during his life, including carpentry and joinery. He owned a garbage collection company in Vergennes. He served on the Vergennes City Council and as the Vergennes Water Commissioner. Richard’s final career was in marine exploration for 25 years, after graduating from Chapman’s School of Seamanship in Stuart, Florida. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Vermont Antique Boat Association.

His first husband was Patty McKay while he was stationed at Fort Myer, Arlington, Va. His next husband was Claire Marie Adams of Vergennes. They raised two daughters, Ragan Ann and Leigh and husband Paul Cousino, both of Vergennes. Leigh has two sons, Nicolas Isaac Cunningham and his wife Kaitlin (Cusson) and their son Killian James Cunningham and Matthias Christopher Cormier and his partner Laura Matuszak. Richard’s great-grandson, Killiam James Cunningham, is the son of Nicolas and Kaitlin Cusson Cunningham.

On July 4, 1980, he married Harriet Stone Patrick, “Happy” of Charlotte. Together they enjoyed over 40 years of renovation projects on several historic Charlotte homes, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Richard was so happy at the helm of his boat with Happy by his side, whether exploring the Erie Canal or heading south on the Intracoastal Waterway. He certainly loved his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.

Richard is survived by Happy and his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandson. He is also survived by his sister, Lucille Nelson of Sharon, Conn.; his brother, David and his partner, Catherine Monroe Sargent of Waltham, Vt.; his sister-in-law, Clara Chamberlain Cunningham of Vergennes; his sister, Kim Delorme Laughner; two stepchildren, Adam Boyd Dantzscher of St. George, Vt., and Robert Christopher Dantzscher and Cyndie Coffrin of Monroe, Wash.; Adam’s daughter, Meridith Anne Dantzscher of Malden, Mass.; Christopher’s two sons, Corbin Casey Dantzscher of St. Paul, Minn., and Casey Christopher Dantzscher of Surprise, Ariz., and a daughter, Cassandra Caitlin Dantzscher of Monroe, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard is survived by his brother Eldred Jr., sister-in-law Arlene LaFlam, brother Leonard, sister Rosaline and her husband Laurence Casey, and sister Beverly and her husband Floyd Peck.

The Cunningham and Patrick families would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to The Arbors for the wonderful care Richard received for almost two years, and to Hospice who were there to provide assistance when needed.

A memorial reception for Richard will be held on September 28, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Vergennes Opera House on Main Street. Richard is finally coming home.

Cremation services offered by Ready Funeral Home. ◊