BATH — Walter E. Cunningham Jr., 81, died on March 24.

He was born in Bath on May 12, 1930, the son of Walter and Lela Cunningham. He grew up in Georgetown and attended school there until the fifth grade when he was forced to leave the classroom and enter the work force to help out his family. Starting at the age of nine he worked as a clam digger. He always enjoyed the ocean.

In the winters he worked for the Georgetown School Department, making sure the wood stoves were lit for the children’s day and shoveling the walkways. He took pride in making sure the grounds of the school were kept clean.

Cunningham retired a the age of 62, but he quickly realized that he could not just sit around so he took a job as sexton at the Oak Cemetery in Georgetown. He was also the sole caregiver for his mother for many years before her death.

He was a very caring person and would always go out of his way to help anyone. Every morning he could be found having breakfast and greeting the customers at the Galley Restaurant in Bath. He met many friends there, but the best was Elanor Thomas. In the last few years they were inseparable; if you saw one, the other was never far behind.

He lived at The Moorings for over 20 years and he considered his neighbors his family.

Cunningham was predeceased by his parents and his only son, Walter Cunningham II, and his daughter-in-law, Dorothy.

He is survived by his family at The Moorings, his family at the Galley and many others who touched his heart.

At Cunningham’s request, there will be no services. A private burial will take place at Oak Cemetery in Georgetown.

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