7/7/1941-3/8/2023 With Joy, ‘Mr. C’ has been summoned by the Angels to be with several family members & friends at the ‘Power Table’.
In 1973, ‘Mr. C’ began his career as an elementary physical education teacher with the Minisink Valley School District. Mr. C ‘taught’ – got paid to play – in the district for over 35 years, much of that time was spent at the Old Otisville Elementary School (Little M), where he referred to his gym as ‘the Irish Dance Hall’ with all the ‘little leprechauns’. Throughout his Minisink career, and long after retirement, ‘Mr. C’ coached various sports at Minisink, including Girls’ basketball and Track & Field. But nowhere was he known better than on the girls’ soccer field, where, year after year, he lovingly & proudly encouraged his ‘Girls in Green’ to do what he knew they could do, and win or lose, they never let him down. Sean T. was a certified New York State Sports Official for many sports throughout Orange County & beyond, including Orange County Soccer Officials Association (1975) – recipient of the prestigious Chris Chachis Award (1996), Mid-Hudson College Soccer Officials Association (1980), Orange County Basketball Referees Association (1978), Orange County Softball Officials (1980), Track & Field Official, & Orange County Girls Lacrosse Official (2000).
Sean T. was a United States Military Veteran, serving in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. An active member of many community organizations, including American Legion Post #151, Elks Lodge #1097, Fraternal Order of Eagles #544 & Waalkill Fire Engine Company #6.
Sean is survived and will be forever cherished by the only one fortunate enough to call him Dad, his daughter Erinn Elizabeth Braun, her husband Paul, & his grandchildren, ‘The Fabulous B/G’s’ (Hannah, Alison, Peter, & Jack). Also surviving are Erinn’s mother Judith Hazen, his sister Ellen and brother Dennis. Many nieces & nephews; Ashley, Patrick (Aimee), Sheena, Sabrina, Edwin, Christian, Kathleen, Teresa, Bridget, Timothy, and Sean -all their spouses & families. Sean was predeceased by his parents Edwin & Virginia Cunningham, brothers Michael (Barbara), Peter & his ‘favorite twin brother’ Brian – no doubt all waiting to greet him at the ‘Power Table’, amongst so many others. Sean T. ‘Mr. C’ will also be missed, but never forgotten, by an innumerable number of friends, colleagues, students & players – past & present, whose lives he touched in an incredibly special way, just by being the person he was.
Visitation will be under the guidance of Martinez-Morse Funeral Home, Railroad Avenue, Middletown on Friday March 17, 2023, 3-7 p.m. Interment will take place at Orange County Veterans Memorial Cemetery and the Cunningham family gravesite, St. Anastasia’s in Harriman, New York. Both will take place at a later date convenient to the family.
In lieu of flowers, Mr. C has requested contributions be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Pets Alive, Middletown, Dumped/Stray Animal Rescue, Middletown, or a charity of one’s choosing.
