Hugh Cunningham Obituary

Cunningham, Hugh "Ed" A lifelong student and teacher, Hugh Cunningham's early career was as an electrician. While pursuing his bachelor's degree, he became a full-time instructor for the Electrical Apprenticeship Program at Washburne Trade School, Chicago Board of Education in 1972. At that time, the apprenticeship program was a very basic program. Within four years, Hugh became the Chairman of the program. During his tenure as Chairman, he changed and developed the program into a unique and demanding 4 year apprenticeship program, which was nationally recognized for its excellence. Hugh insisted that the program keep pace with changes in technology and the electrical industry by constantly updating and expanding the courses offered. Representatives from the Department of Labor, other unions and vocational programs throughout the nation traveled to Washburne Trade School to study and model the program. While the Chairman of the program, Hugh obtained a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree from Chicago State University, and a Doctorate of Education degree from Nova University. Preaching what he practiced, Hugh strongly encouraged all of his teachers obtain at least a Bachelor of Arts degree. He taught his students that people often change their career within their lifetime, and he encouraged and inspired many of his students to obtain college and professional degrees. Genuinely concerned about the life success of all of his students, Hugh encouraged them to become educated and active citizens, keeping informed about regional, national and international politics and its affect on labor in Illinois and the United States. Realizing that individuals learn in different ways, and not wanting any student to fail out of the program, he would spend hours with a student teaching a skill in different ways until the student grasped and mastered the skill. Unlike other apprenticeship programs, he developed a pre-apprenticeship program to tutor students in the skills needed to enter into the apprenticeship program. Hugh remained the Chairman of the program through 1988 when it moved to Moraine Valley Community College. Stepping down as Chairman in 1990, he remained a Professor of the program at Moraine Valley, and an instructor at the NECA-IBEW Joint Apprenticeship and Training program. Following his retirement in 1997, Hugh became a Pastoral Care Minister to the Sick and Elderly in the Joliet Archdiocese, and taught catechism at Divine Savior Catholic Church in Downers Grove, Illinois. Known by many as the "Rosary Man," Hugh made thousands of Rosaries from hand drilled brass beads and brass wire, which he gave away to many people over the years. Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 15th and Visitation Tuesday, November 14th. Arrangements handled by: Modell Funeral Home, 630-852-3595.