David Sean Cunningham passed away on January 21, 2026, in Cleveland, OH. Dave was born on October 29, 1967, to Margerie and James Cunningham in Lancaster, PA. He was a graduate of Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA and the University of Hawaii. He married Laura Lambrecht February 26, 2009, in the Dominican Republic.
Dave seized a passion for adventure throughout his life. His parents initiated his international travels as a young boy, which colored his character and built his compassionate soul. After surviving Hodgkin lymphoma at 10 years old, he continued his various worldwide adventures as a teenager and spent a year in Denmark as a foreign exchange student where he expanded his wide circle of friends. At the University of Hawaii, he cultivated an affection for Japanese culture (one of his majors) and surfing.
Dave followed his never-ending adventurous spirit (and his father’s footsteps) to obtain a job at United Airlines where he held assignments in Hawaii, California and Pennsylvania. From United, he joined in his brother’s profession as a financial advisor for the rest of his career.
Throughout his life, Dave never stopped developing new interests. He learned to play guitar as a teenager and continued to play and sing, doing both in his band, BGS, with his two close friends, and playing solo gigs. He was an avid boater from childhood and learned to sail in California. He sailed many memorable races (Newport-Ensenada, Chicago-Mackinac, Fastnet, Hook, etc.) and captained the tall ship, Windy, in Chicago for many years. Among many activities he enjoyed with his wife, they loved to cook together and cruise the streets of Chicago in his 1968 Mustang.
Dave is survived by his wife, Laura, his parents, Margerie and James Cunningham, his two brothers, James Cunningham, Jr. and Terrence Cunningham (Anne) in addition to many loving nieces and nephews of whom he was so proud. Dave is preceded in death by his sister, Kathleen Cunningham.
A memorial service will be scheduled at the convenience of family.