Tributes

William Louis Cunningham, M.D., 80, of Charleroi, Fallowfield Township died Friday, November 30, 2007 in his home. He was born in Swissvale on September 4, 1927, a son of the late William Louis Cunningham, M.D. and Mildred Holliday Cunningham. Dr. Cunningham was a graduate of the Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, PA, attended Harvard University and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh and his Medical Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in June 1957. He completed his internship from the Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh and did residencies in General Surgery at Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles, CA and the Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh. A third generation physician, he practiced general surgery for more than 30 years. Dr. Cunningham joined the medical staff at the former Charleroi-Monessen Hospital in 1962. He served as president of the medical staff at the Charleroi-Monessen Hospital and was the first president of the Monongahela Valley Hospital medical staff formed in 1978. He again served that position in 1984. As president of the medical staff, he also served as chairman of the Executive Committee. He served as chairman of the department of surgery at Monongahela Valley Hospital. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Diplomat to the American Board of Surgery and belonged to numerous professional organizations including the Washington County, Pennsylvania and American Medical Associations. He was honored in 1999 as the recipient of the Sickman-Levin Award for Dimensions in Medicine given by Mon Valley Hospital. Dr. Cunningham was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 615, F. & A.M. of Charleroi, the Syria Temple of Pittsburgh and the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Pittsburgh. Surviving are his wife, Judith Dallaglio Cunningham, whom he married in 1971, three daughters and two sons-in-law, Mindy and William Dwyer of Port Townsend, Washington, Melony and Richard Lombardo of Pittsburgh and Cheryl Grover of Green Valley, Arizona and five grandchildren, Joe and Dan Lombardo and Jack, Katey and Sean Dwyer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Susan. Friends will be received Sunday from 7 to 9 P.M. and Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. in the Ferguson Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 700 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon, www.fergusonfuneralhomeandcrematory.com, where funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. with Pastor Ray Ursin officiating. Interment will follow in Monongahela Cemetery. If desired, memorial remembrances may be made to the Fred Kuhn Endowment Fund at Mercersburg Academy, 300 E. Seminary Street, Mercersburg, PA 17236.