A warm eulogy for Bill Cunningham MSC, family, community, mission in Eastern Papua
Written by Bill’s niece Jennifer Marchant from the family. (With the Sydney lockdown, the funeral was delayed – and fewer numbers able to be present. The Memories and Mass can be found on Youtube and the Province Facebook page.)
William Joseph Cunningham was born on the 19th February 1925 at the family home at 11 Sutherland St Mascot, much to the excitement of his parents who welcomed their first born.
The family then grew 3 years later when they welcomed Marie in January 1928. Bill was only 7 years of age when his mother Kathleen passed away. In 1932 his father, William Joseph, married Mary Josephine O’Neill. In November 1933 the family welcomed the arrival of Monica.
Affectionally know to all as Fr Bill, Bill, Billy to his siblings or Uncle Bill to his nieces and nephews. He was a real character and always had a story to tell and a joke or two. It’s hard to put into words everything that Bill has done over the years and I know a lot of you have your own stories and memories of Bill and his great life and achievements.
Bill started his schooling at St Joseph’s Rosebery, which was run by the Sisters of Mercy. From a young age Bill loved to read and write. Bill then went onto St Mary’s Cathedral College where he was dux of the College with numerous academic honours.
When Bill was 14 he told his father that he wanted to become a priest, his father said no initially. He told his father that thoughts of priesthood had been with him for some time, and he was adamant that it was what he wanted to do. After some weeks and many discussions and prayers they gave Bill their blessing.
Bill entered the seminary at Douglas Park in Jan. 1944 to undertake his vocation and spent many years there growing more spiritually, and studying in preparation for his teaching and missionary work. On many occasions his Father, Mother, Marie and Monica would visit. They all enjoyed the trip to see him and share stories.
Bill had a lifelong love of learning and teaching - he had a Bachelor of Teaching and a Master of Theology. He also spoke many languages and had a real gift in the way he taught. He made his first profession on 26th February 1945.
In July 1951 the family flew to Melbourne on their first ever flight to celebrate Bill’s ordination. Bill was ordained a Missionary of the Sacred Heart on 22nd July 1951 at St Patrick’s Melbourne by Bishop Mannix. In just a few weeks we would have been celebrating the anniversary of his 70th year of ordination.
When we sat down with mum the other day and talked about Bill – or Billy as she called him one story came to mind.
Billy was a stirrer, mum said, and she was a shy young girl. Billy knew she was an easy target unlike Marie who was tougher, and he could always do something to stir Monica up. On one occasion he took Monica’s beloved cat and put it in a bag and hoisted it up the clothesline. The poor cat was swung around while Monica was in tears trying to get Billy to let it down. There was no end to Billy’s torment until Monica ran to get help from her mother – who then chased Billy around the yard until he let the cat back down and out of the bag.
Although Billy was a stirrer, he was an amazing brother and the bond that Marie, Monica and Bill had was like no other. In later years mum was honoured that Bill married her and Les our dad on the 11th of April 1953.
Bill taught at Downland’s College Toowoomba, QLD 1952 – 1955. His ministry work then took him to many parts of Papua New Guinea, where he spent many decades in mission work and teaching religious education. They even made him an honorary Chief. He wrote a book “From Mission to the Diocese of Alotau – Sideia” Seventy-Five years of building the Church- Milne Bay Easter Papua.
Mum and Bill wrote to each other all the time and I know Bill appreciated hearing what was happening at home. We would send photos and sometimes audio cassettes. I can remember Annette, Christine, John and myself recording messages to Bill and we were trying to be so serious like news readers to tell him what we had been doing but it always ended up with us in fits of laughter and mum having to talk while we composed ourselves. I think he really enjoyed getting these and imaged he had a good laugh along with us.
Christmas time for the family was always a fun and special time, especially the years that Bill was on leave and able to come down from Papua New Guinea and join us. He would stay at the family home with Marie and would be waited on hand and foot – Bill didn’t like a fuss, but Marie had other ideas. She would often set him up in the recliner in front of the TV with her version of TV dinner. During these visits home he would come over to our place at Sans Souci and catch up with us all. He would always bring with him a gift that the locals had made, either a carving or a basket and I think all of us have still have those cherished items.
When Bill was down in Sydney, he was always kept busy with a family commitment or two. Bill married both Chris and I as well as Christine and Peter and officiated at many of the family baptisms.
Bill never forgot a birthday and was always so diligent about sending us a card or letter for the occasion and offering mass for us. If he was home, you could always expect a phone call and in recent years an email as well. He knew everyone’s birthday and even those of our extended family and friends – I can guarantee they all too received a letter or call. He had time for everyone and was always keen to know what you were doing.
I remember Bill being at St Paul’s Pastoral centre for many years – he needed to be a teacher mechanic, builder and lots more to keep the centre running. I know on many occasions mum would organise a Bingo Day with all the Sans Souci ladies to raise much needed funds to be sent up to help build the church or provide resources for the school. I know Bill always appreciated the kind donations that helped so much. On many occasions we sent up movies for the children to watch and replays of football games to keep them entertained as the television reception only worked occasionally. We really didn’t appreciate until we were older just how hard life was up there and the many things they didn’t have that we took for granted. This was Bill’s life, love, passion and vocation. I know it took some convincing for him to finally retire, and had he been able to stay longer he certainly would have.
Upon returning to Australia, he settled at the Sacred Heart Monastery in Kensington where he continued with assisting at local parishes and working with the parish prayer group. He still continued to write and loved his computer. Bill loved when the family were able to come the monastery to visit and have lunch there.
One of Bill’s last holidays away was a trip up to Ballina to visit his cousin Margaret and husband Len. I know Bill cherished this visit up to them and spoke about it often. Bill was always a great guest to have as he had so many stories to tell. His cousin Gerard and wife Therese often had Bill and Fr Issac over for an afternoon tea or dinner – I know Bill really appreciated these times with the family. With Bill goes a lot of history about the family– he knew the family tree and spent many hours recording all the details.
We would especially like to thank Fr Peter Guy , Father John Kelliher and Fr Steve Dives who have been so wonderful to Bill and our family over the years he has been at Kensington.
To Father Isaac who was one of Bill’s best mates – he drove Bill to many of our family functions and get togethers Including Bill’s 90th birthday celebration. Fr Isaac would often drive mum to and from the bus stop when she was either visiting Bill or going to visit Marie at the nursing home. I know the two of them loved watching the Rugby league together especially when it was a Souths and St George game – Bill like the rest of the family was a keen Rabbitohs supporter but Fr Isaac went for the Dragons so there was some friendly rivalry.
Bill loved his family, especially his sisters Marie and Monica who would do anything for him. I know the help they gave to him over the years meant a lot.
Bill’s last years were at St Joseph’s aged care facility and we thank the staff for their care of Bill. When Covid hit it was harder to visit. Christine would take mum to see him, his eyesight was fading and so too his stories and jokes.
I know that everyone that knew Bill will never forget him. He was an incredible man, adored Brother and Cousin as well as an Uncle, Great Uncle and Great Great Uncle to his many nieces and nephews and their partners.
Bill was a great friend to many far and wide – we will miss your stories and jokes.
Rest In Peace Uncle Bill.
