Martin Cunningham

Martin (Marty) A. Cunningham

 Ever present in the rain, sleet and snow, he was known as the “Hat Man” when he manned the streets by Hillside Elementary School and Tredyffrin-Easttown Middle School in Berwyn guiding children to safety. He made sure that drivers were paying attention and off their cell phones as they drove by—all the while waving and smiling at each one. Families dubbed him the “World’s Best Crossing Guard” who made the children smile and laugh on their way to school and made adults feel like they too had a connection. The hilariously funny Martin (Marty) A. Cunningham, 74, crossed onto the heavenly highway on Sunday, August 6. A man of dignity, he maintained his sense of humor and fun until the end. A resident of Paoli, Marty is survived by his beloved and equally funny wife, Bev, and his proudest accomplishments, his sons, Martín Perna (Courtney Morris), of Berkeley, CA, and Brian (Aly), of Radnor, and his daughter, Heidi (Tim Hannon), of Malvern. He was the adored grandfather of Patch, Charlie, Phoebe, Jack, Molly and Sequoia. Marty was one of eight children and is also survived by his sisters, Helen and Julie, and brothers David, Peter, and Steve. He was predeceased by his parents Martin J. and Marianne Cunningham and siblings Michael and Suzanne.

Marty graduated from Devon Prep and Villanova University where he majored in social
sciences. His employment history was varied working in sales for more than 20 years at
Haab Oil but his true joy was being with his children and grandchildren and working with
the children of others as a coach, referee, timer at games, or cheering vociferously from
the sidelines. And in recent years on the fields cheering on his much-loved
grandchildren. The family remembers spending their vacations creating cherished
memories in the tiny lake community of Eagles Mere, PA. Marty was smitten with the
mountains and lake and the peace, pace and joy of the small town.

At Marty’s request, family and friends will celebrate his life well-lived with a FUN-eral, in
lieu of a funeral, in the fall. To honor his spirit, the family requests you generate a
random act of kindness or make a donation to T&E Care (https://www.tecare.org/).