Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Cunningham, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Monsignor Cunningham was born on March 4, 1937, was ordained to the Priesthood on June 1, 1963, and died Thursday, October 12, 2023.
Monsignor Cunningham served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of Saint Gregory the Great (Bellerose). He also served Temporary Ministry at Saint Joan of Arc (Jackson Heights); also as Temporary Administrator of Saint Andrew the Apostle (Brooklyn); and as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Mercy (Forest Hills). Monsignor Cunningham was also the Executive Secretary of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, Liturgy Advisor for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and a board member of the Diocesan Pastoral Institute. He also served as Principal at the Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, and as Rector at the Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Florida.
On December 19, 2019, Monsignor Cunningham was named Chaplain of His Holiness.
The arrangements are as follows:
WAKE: Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Home
125 Hillside Avenue
North New Hyde Park, New York 11040
Tel: (516) 354-0634
Sunday, October 15, 2023
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Monday, October 16, 2023
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
VIGIL: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs R.C. Church
110-06 Queens Boulevard
Forest Hills, New York 11375
Tel: (718) 268-6251
Monday, October 16, 2023
7:30 PM
FUNERAL: Saint Gregory the Great R.C. Church
242-20 88th Avenue
Bellerose, New York 11426
Tel: (718) 347-3707
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
11:00 AM
BURIAL: Saint John Cemetery
Middle Village, New York
Monsignor Cunningham was a member of the Priests’ Purgatorial Society.
Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord.
If you wish to send condolences, please mail to his sister Mrs. Mary O’Donnell, 57 Sylvia Lane, New Hyde Park, New York 11040.
Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L.
Chancellor