Thomas Neville Cunningham

T. Neville "Nev" Cunningham, life member of the aberdeen Fire Department and charter member of the Harford County School Bus Contractors Association, died at his home on May 13. He was 92. Mr. Cunningham, known as "Nev" by all who knew him, was born on the Medical Hall Farm in Harford County on May 1, 1913. He was the son of the late Wilbur Edwin and Annie McAtee Cunningham. He lived in Harford County most of his life, the past 65 years at his residence in Aberdeen. A man of great faith, Mr. Cunningham joined the Episcopal Church early in life. He was a active member of the Epworth League. On marrying his wife, Viola, he joined Wesleyan Chapel United Methodist Church, where he remained a faithful member for over 60 years. In the 1940's Mr. Cunnigham and his wife owned and operated their own business, Cunningham sales, selling radios, televisions and a variety of household appliances. In 1954, he and his wife, started Cunningham Bus Service, contracting school buses for Harford County Public Schools. He and his wife retired from this business in December 1980. While a school bus contractor, Mr. Cunningham helped establish the Harford County School Bus Contractors Association. He served two two year terms as President of this Assoc. In addition, he served a two year term as the Vice-President of the Maryland School Bus Contractors Assoc., subsequently being elected to the office of President. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Assoc. of School Bus Contract-Operators and was appointed by Dr. James A. Sensenbaugh, State Superintendent of Schools in Maryland, to serve on the Public School Pupil Transportation Liaison Advisory Comm. He then joined the Aberdeen Fire Department on January 18, 1940. He remained active until the late 1980's when deteriorating health caused him to stop the fire department activities he loved. As an active member he held numerous leadership positions. He served as Assistant Chief from 1946-1951 and Chief from 1951-1954 and 1964-1968. He served on the Board of Directors from Department's four stations. Other positions he held over the years include: President, Captain, and serving on and/or as Chair of numerous committees. He served 21 years as Chair of the annual Aberdeen Fireman's Carnival. He was a strong force in organizing the Aberdeen Fire Department Marching Band and Marching Unit. He fondly remembered "drilling" with the marching unit in preparation for parades. Mr. Cunningham's activity in and support of Aberdeen Fire Department was an integral part of his life. His life-long love of learning shaped his desire to take as much firefighting, rescue, and ambulance training as he could and was available at the time. He could be found at almost every fire department training session and emergency scenes. He was one of the first to learn the operation of the ambulance's resuscitator and was one of the few who were often called on to use it for the many patients he transported in Aberdeen's ambulance. He was also one of the first to take coursed in rescue and to operate the Department's old rescue truck. The Aberdeen Fire Department recognized Mr. Cunningham for his many years of outstanding service on January 19, 1978. In addition to his service with Aberdeen Fire Department, Mr. Cunningham was an active member of the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Fireman's Association, the Harford County Chief's Association (now known as the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association), and the MAryland State Firemen's Association. He served as President of the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Firemen's Assoc. in 1953-1954. He remained active in the Association serving on various committees for many years. In 1990, he was inducted into the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Firemen's Association Hall of Fame. Mr. Cunningham was an active member of the committee thant organized and established the Harford County Headquarters ( now known as Harford County Emergency Operations Center). In 1992, he was awarded the title of Honorary Dispatcher. He was also active in the formation of the Harford County Chief's Assoc.(now called the HArford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Assoc.). He served as Director of this Association for 16 years. In addition, he served on numerous committees over a 20-year period that included the Standards Committee, and the Boundary Line Committee. He chaired the Length of Service Committee (LOSAP) responsible for establishing a pension plan for members of the volunteer fire companies in Harford County. He also served as the Harford County Chief of Civil Defense for over ten years. Mr. Cunningham was an active member of several committees of the MSFA. He served on the Legislative Committee for two years, the Transportation Committee for one year, the Ambulance Committee for two years. The Abulance Committee on which he served, working with R Adams Cowley, was essentially responsible for beginning the process of developing the EMS system as we know it today in Maryland. He attended every Convention from 1947-1999 serviing as a delegate most of those years. In 1987, he was inducted into the Maryland State Firemen's Association Hall of Fame. In 1990, the Harford County Council presented him with a proclamation honoring his 50 years of service to the Aberdeen Fire Department as well as his contribution to his community. His dedication, service and energy for his community, the Aberdeen Fire Department and fire service of Harford County and Maryland served as a role model for the men and women of the volunteer fire service in the State of Maryland and exemplify the role of the volunteer firefighter- "To protect life and property and serve the communtiy." On September 19, 1996 Mr. Cunningham and his wife, Viola, were honored as two of Harford County's Most Beautiful People. In addition to his parents, Mr. Cunningham is predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Viola Preston Cunningham. He is also predeceased by two sister, Carlyn Coulter and Nelda Ann Hellwig, and three brothers, Wilbur Edwin Cunningham, Jr., Joseph Robert Cunningham, and George Edward Silver Cunningham. Mr. Cunningham is survived by two daughters, Verna Ann Cunningham of Aberdeen and Victoria Lee Cunningham of Bel Air. In addition, he is survived by one brother, Walter Kirk Cunningham and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service with fire department honors will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2005 2:00 Pm at the Aberdeen Fire Department, House 1 on Rogers Street in Aberdeen. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Aberdeen Fire Department, Inc., P.O. Box 118 Aberdeen, Maryland 21001 Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001 Visitation: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001