Community Mourns Death Of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Grad

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — The community is mourning the death of 2017 graduate of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Justin "JJ" Cunningham who died at the age of 22 on March 4.

"Treasured with a love beyond all feeling; missed with a grief beyond all tears," said his obituary with Rossi Funeral Home.

Cunningham participated in cross country, winter and spring track as a long-distance runner at the high school.

He also enjoyed camping, hiking, playing video games, and eating out with friends. Special trips with friends included vacations in Little Compton, RI, and hiking in Acadia National Park in Maine.

"It was not uncommon to hear JJ participating loudly and enthusiastically while playing video games. The sound of his laughter and playful banter will be a happy memory we share with the many friends he played with," according to his obituary.

Cunningham was a mechanical engineering major at The College of New Jersey, due to graduate in May.

"He was a talented student, held in high regard by his professors who described him as high performing and selfless. His selflessness was apparent to all who knew him. He was kind, gentle, and nurturing- a true bright light in our lives," according to his obituary.

Cunningham is survived by his parents, Michael and Mary Kay Cunningham, his older siblings, John (Jack), Thomas and Mallory Cunningham. And his large extended family; maternal grandparents Thomas and Marlene Quattrini, paternal grandmother Marjorie Cunningham. Aunts and uncles; Mary Beth and James Thomas, Barbara and Ronald Uihlein, Kathleen and Michael O’Connor, David Miranda, Joseph and Celeste Cunningham, James and Kelly Cunningham, 10 cousins and their spouses and great aunts, great uncles and cousins.

He is preceded in death by paternal grandfather Joseph Cunningham, maternal uncle Thomas Quattrini, and paternal aunt Therese Miranda as well as many great aunts and great uncles.

A viewing will be held for friends and family on Friday from 4 to 6:30 p.m., with a service of remembrance being offered at 6:30 p.m., at the Rossi Funeral Home 1937 Westfield Avenue Scotch Plains.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a newly established scholarship in JJ’s name. Checks should be made out to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Scholarship Foundation and should reference "The JJ Cunningham Memorial Scholarship" in the memo section of the check. Donations should be mailed to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 123, Fanwood, NJ 07023. Donations can also be made through the Foundation's website spfscholarshipfoundation.org by clicking on the scholarship title in the donate section of the homepage.

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