Douglas J. Cunningham, 58, of Glen Ellyn, the owner of Cunningham Heating and Air Conditioning, died Wednesday, Sept. 12, after a long battle with a brain tumor.
Mr. Cunningham was raised in Wheaton and graduated from Wheaton Community High School in 1961. He received an associate’s degree in heating and air conditioning from the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.
“He was good with his hands, hardworking, and just the type to do well at this kind of work,” said his wife of 35 years, Karen. “He went with what he was naturally good at, and it earned him a good living.”
After several years with various companies, Mr. Cunningham opened his own shop in 1975. Originally it was based in Winfield and later moved to Warrenville.
Mr. Cunningham installed heating and air-conditioning units in hundreds of homes throughout DuPage and Kane Counties as he worked with Archway Builders and Ivco Builders.
“It was strenuous work and physically draining, but he still liked what he did,” his wife said.
The son of a landscaper, Mr. Cunningham developed a love of the outdoors from a young age.
He had said his passion for sports such as fishing and hunting and his interest in gardening were gifts to be passed down to future generations.
In 1990, Mr. Cunningham underwent surgery for a brain tumor that doctors said could resurface in a year or two. It wasn’t until April that his health suffered when another tumor was discovered.
“He always said these last 11 years were a gift from God, a second chance at life,” his wife said.
Mr. Cunningham served with the Illinois National Guard at Midway Airport during the late 1960s.
Other survivors include two sons, Tom and Scott; three daughters, Nancy Hayes, Jill King, and Shelly; a brother, Donald; four sisters, Dorothy Wallenfan, Joan Church, Sharon Hesik and Betty Cesaretti; and eight grandchildren.
Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Petronille Catholic Church, 420 Glenwood Ave., Glen Ellyn.
