Andrew John Cunningham's Obituary
Andrew “Drew” John Cunningham, son, brother, grandson, nephew, hero, 24, passed away September 10, 2023 in Boulder, CO. He was born and raised in Syracuse, NY.
Andrew dealt with the effects of something called multi-core myopathy from the day he was born. It did not define him, it certainly did not limit him, the challenges it presented only drove him to be and do more than most folks would have ever expected of him. His courage, every day of his life, to live life to the fullest, to push boundaries, to strive to excel in everything that he did was much more of who he was than any myopathy. Drew’s perspective on life and his willingness to share that with friends and teammates served as an inspiration for so many. His dedication to power wheelchair soccer (CNY United & TEAM USA), the sport he loved carried over to not only his performance on the court but also his ability to inspire his teammates and his determination to share the sport with others. Andrew was attending the University of Colorado studying biochemistry with the goal of discovering ways to combat the effects of his myopathy so others would not face the same challenges he met head on every day, while that goal has been cut short Andrew chose to be a tissue donor and as a result ultimately found ways to meet his goal of helping. He was also a long-suffering Buffalo Bills fan, newly minted Denver Nuggets fan, and front row aficionado of the Red Rocks Amphitheater.
He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Tom, and Helen Cunningham; loved and missed and recently re-united with Cousin, Jesse Thomas Russell.
Andrew is survived by his parents, Tom, and Judy (Napolitano) Cunningham; siblings, Ali Cunningham, and Tommy Cunningham; maternal grandparents, Tony and Peg Napolitano.
While we grieve, we should all remember, that Andrew would tell us that there is too much life to live to spend too much time not living life to its fullest.
A funeral Mass in celebration of Andrew’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at St. Michael & St. Peter Church, 4782 West Seneca Tpke., Syracuse, NY, followed by burial at Greenlawn Cemetery, Warners, NY. Family and friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Monday, September 18, 2023, at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Andrew’s name to the United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA), Power Soccer Camp Scholarship, 10974 Wintercove Way, Fishers, IN 46038.
Andrew’s family would like to thank each of his extended families, his teammates, coaches and families from CNY United (Go Red, Go White, Go United), Team USA (United Strong Able) and his staff, really his family in Boulder (Elyse, Sydney, Ben and Sydney).
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