Huge turnout at benefit for ‘Clocker’ Cunningham
By CORY ALLYN - Staff Reporter
June, 25, 2009
AMENIA — A benefit was held at the De La Vergne Steakhouse Monday, June 15, to celebrate the life of Charles Cunningham, or “Clocker” as he was known to many.
Cunningham died June 12, after losing a battle with brain cancer. The benefit was originally scheduled to help with the mounting medical bills, including the $10,000 fee for the ambulance that drove him from Florida to Amenia, to be with his family as his illness worsened. The event was hosted by Kevin, Andrea, Maureen and Betty Rooney.
It was estimated that as many as 500 people attended the event, so much so that police and members of local fire departments were required to direct traffic along the stretch of Route 44.
“We knew there was going to be a lot of people, but we really didn’t know it would be this many,” said Margaret Cunningham, Clocker’s mother.
“He was one-of-a-kind,” said his brother, John. “There’s no question about it. Just look at the number of people here.”
The evening included a barbecue, both silent and live auctions, a live band and five different raffles. While funds are still coming in, the total as of June 18 was $36,520, with another $10,000 still to be picked up from the auctions.
“I’m so proud and happy,” said Maureen Rooney. “This whole community, from Amenia to Millerton, Lakeville, Salisbury, Canaan, Millbrook... no one said no. The spirit of the event was so wonderful. I was moved to tears through most of the night.”
Cunningham was a Yankees fanatic by anyone’s standards, and it was reflected in many ways, from the Yankees logos written on many of the plastic beer cups to the tickets and autographed baseballs (one sold for $2,400) and photos auctioned off. For the last 15 years, Clocker traveled to Florida every year for Yankees spring training. At the funeral, held earlier in the day at the Amenia church, Immaculate Conception, Cunningham had written his own eulogy to be read, with his life explained as a game of baseball.
Cunningham was the fourth of 10 children, all of whom were present at the benefit. The evening, although in the shadow of a death, lifted the sadness of the previous weekend to celebrate the life of a man who touched many lives, according to his sister, Jane Callahan.
“We always used to say, if there’s a friend Charlie doesn’t have, it’s because he hasn’t met him yet,” she said.
There were countless stories and remembrances related among guests and family members, whether it was some antic Clocker had gotten into or baseball tickets he would give away to friends and acquaintances.
“He was the most honest and best friend you could ever have in your life,” said Tim McEnroe.
A special thanks went out from the Rooneys and Clocker’s family, thanking everyone who donated items to the raffles and auctions and everything that showed their support for Cunningham at the benefit.
If anyone would like to make a donation to the Charles Cunningham Fund, checks made payable to the fund can be sent to Salisbury Bank, Attention Lana Morrison, PO Box 1868, Lakeville, CT 06039.
© Copyright 2009 by TCExtra.com
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