Obituary of Chuck Cunneen

Charles Gordon (Chuck) Cunneen was born to Gordon and Lucille Downs Cunneen of Danielson, CT on July 11, 1943. He died at 79 at home surrounded by the love and support from family and friends from around the country.

After graduating from Killingly High School, he received his draft notice while learning to surf in Hawaii. He opted to join the US Air Force. He was trained in radios and assigned to the First Cavalry Division of the Army in Vietnam. After his service, he graduated from the University of Bridgeport where he was active in the anti-war movement. Chuck studied for a Ph.D. in philosophy at Florida State University where he met Trish Walthall. They married on February 2, 1976 in Stratford, CT. He taught Philosophy at the University of Bridgeport for four years.

Chuck lived life to the fullest with Trish. They managed to live and work in beautiful places where Chuck could indulge his passions for powder skiing and rock climbing. In the 80’s and 90’s he lived/worked in Boulder & Dumont, CO. During that time they took many extensive climbing trips, camping in the van. One of Chuck’s favorite achievements was climbing El Capitan in Yosemite when he was 50. He then supported and enjoyed Trish’s dream of cruising and island living. They cruised on their sailboat ‘Tuolumne’ throughout the Caribbean islands, eventually living/working/wind surfing on the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. On returning to the states, Chuck enjoyed golf, guitar and woodworking while living in Morro Bay then Big Pine, CA. They returned to live in Longmont, CO in 2015.

In addition to being a loving and supportive husband, Chuck loved sharing his adventures with family and friends. He invited many to join them at various Caribbean islands. Lasting friendships were formed in climbing areas all over the west. He loved telling funny stories. He enjoyed building and crafting with wood. He could dive in and fix anything broken anywhere (an essential skill on an old sailboat). He continued to be a deep thinker who grappled with thorny intellectual questions until his last day.

Those who knew and loved Chuck miss him dearly. They include his wife of 47 years, Trish; sister Nancy (Sandy) Boardman; niece Karen (Adam) Burnett & their children Amy and Alexander; nephew Doug Boardman; sister-in-law Ginny (Skip) Galvin & their children Michael (Jessica) and Melissa; brother-in-law Jody (Donna Legare) Walthall & their children Vanessa (Andy) and Joseph (Laura). He is also missed by countless friends whose lives he changed for the better with his enthusiasm, encouragement, support, and compassion. Chuck was predeceased by his cousin Bill Downs and his nephew Scott Boardman.

His ashes will be scattered by loved ones in California, Utah, Colorado and Connecticut.

Chuck’s favorite cause was Vietnamfriendship.org