Thomas "TC" Maurice Cunningham

Thomas Maurice “TC” Cunningham June 4, 1939 – November 12, 2025

     Thomas Maurice Cunningham, affectionately known as “TC” by most of his friends, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in North Charleston, South Carolina, on November 12, 2025.

     Born on June 4, 1939, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, TC was the son of Clara (Wisniewski) and Maurice Cunningham. He is survived by his sister, Ann Marie Cunningham of Grand Rapids. He was preceded in death by his wives, Barbara (Schneider) and Bonnie Jean (Schwach). He is lovingly remembered by his children, Christine-Revelle LaRue (Lance) and Shawn-Maurice Cunningham; grandchildren Lorelei Revelle and Griffin Cunningham LaRue, and Logan Thomas-Maurice Cunningham; and “grandchildren-in-love” Meagan (McCollum) Fraser and Blake McCollum.

     TC attended St. Andrew’s Catholic School and then graduated from Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School in 1957, where he was a standout track athlete and held several state records in hurdles for many years. He was also proud to have been the first altar boy at St. Robert of Newminister Catholic Church in Ada, Michigan. He honorably served two years in the infantry in the US Army after being drafted. 

He began his career as a Tool and Die Maker at General Motors’ 36th Street Plant, working primarily on third shift, and retired after nearly 40 years as a member of UAW Local 730. Over the years he served as a committee man, advocating for his fellow union members.

     Outside of work, TC lived life to the fullest. He played in numerous slo-pitch softball and bowling leagues throughout Grand Rapids, and volunteered for years as the equipment manager for his son’s GRAHA travel hockey team. Summers often found him traveling with young goalies to hockey schools in Saskatchewan and Connecticut.

     A lifelong sports fan, TC cheered enthusiastically for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, and Chicago White Sox. His love of 1950s and 1960s music came from his days singing in a cappella quartets in high school.You could count yourself lucky if you heard his rendition of “Oh, Danny Boy.” He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and in his younger days, racing cars with friends. 

     Upon retirement, he moved to Panama City Beach, Florida, where he owned and operated two beloved local establishments: The Purple Turtle and The Beach House Bar. TC cherished the friendships he made there, especially with the “snowbirds” from Canada and the Midwest, and he was known for hosting legendary Tuesday Snowbird Parties each winter. He was a friend to all he met.

     After Hurricane Michael devastated the area in 2018, TC closed the bars after 20 years and moved to North Charleston, South Carolina to stay with his daughter Christine, where he received care through the Ralph Johnson VA Hospital. A memorial Mass will be held in Panama City Beach, Florida, at a later date. His cremains will be interred at Resurrection Cemetery in Wyoming, Michigan.

     Donations in TC’s memory may be made to the Carmelite Monastery (4300 Mt. Carmel Dr. NE, Ada, MI 49301 https://carmelitenuns.org/) or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org)