Mark Anthony Cunningham

Mark was born the second child and first son to Siobhan and Michael in the village of Newbridge, Co. Galway, Ireland on 5 December 1964. At age four he began his primary education at Feevagh National School where his Mother Siobhan taught. In 1973 he followed in her footsteps to Windfield National School which he attended until 1977 when he moved on to secondary education on scholarship as a ‘ boarder ’ at Garbally College, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. It was already evident in these early years that Mark, spirited brother to nine siblings, was likely to look beyond the home farm and rural life for adventure!

In 1982 Mark began his undergraduate studies in Civil Engineering at University College Dublin. Student life in the city allowed Mark to burn the candle at both ends (and in the middle) He managed to combine coursework and good grades with an even better social life. During this time Mark made some of his lifelong friends and it was during these college summers that he got his first taste for America working in Montauk and San Francisco on the famous J1 visas.

Unemployment was rife in Ireland when Mark completed his Engineering degree in 1986. So he and every member of his graduating class, bar one, were forced to look abroad for work. He started his professional career with a brief engagement in Helsinki, Finland. Short days and long nights were fine – but sunshine beckoned. So in that same year he spent time in London where he got the contract, which then led him to California In 1987.

He started out like many newcomers to Los Angeles enjoying the big city buzz living in various neighborhoods from West Hollywood to Beverly Hills. He thoroughly enjoyed these first years in Southern California with its mix of nationalities and cultures. It was from among these millions he was fortunate to cross paths with his wife Shelly whom he met and fell in love with in 1994. Shortly after meeting Shelly he decided to move to Corona del Mar and there began his Orange County lifestyle in 1995. In this same year they made their first trip together to Ireland. Mark’s family noticed that Ireland seemed a lot more romantic to him with Shelly on board. She was a keeper!

Mark lived twice as fast as most, however he took a while to pop the big question. Finally the tribes gathered on 12 October 2002 in Newport Beach to celebrate Shelly and Mark’s wedding on a sunny fall day. Their first home was near the ocean in Newport Beach – later moving up the hill to Eastside Costa Mesa and onto their current home in the South Coast Metro area of Costa Mesa.

Mark’s energy and zest for life permeated everything he did including his worklife. He worked at various firms over the years and continued his studies with an Executive MBA Program at UCLA. Professionally he finally settled at Thienes Engineering based in La Mirada in 1997. The team there meant a lot to Mark and he took great pride in their successes.

Mark was diagnosed with cancer in March 2006. From day one he confronted his illness bravely and, like everything else in his life, with tremendous energy. He sought the best medical attention and was ever grateful to Dr. Joel Hecht and the team at UCLA hospital whom he trusted completely and whose care allowed Mark to continue living life to the utmost for many years.

Mark loved people and Mark loved a party. Baseball outings with his Irish nieces and nephews, holiday events with family and friends, dog-friendly road trips with his Aussie Shephard “Finn”, golf with the local expats of the Islands Club, attending rock concerts of his favorite bands like U2 and hanging out with friends watching his favorite soccer team, Liverpool FC were social highlights. He was passionate about food and cooking and loved entertaining at home almost as much as dining out. A wonderful host, he enjoyed impressing visitors with local Californian cuisine and his Mother Siobhan adored being shown around on her many trips to California over the years. One highlight was always a trip with the Woodward family on their boat around Huntington Harbor. Mark loved America and he and Shelly explored many beautiful parts of the country together. Their travels back home to Ireland were also warmly anticipated – although one snowbound Christmas without electricity in the West of Ireland put winter trips off the agenda for a while.

Mark was renowned for his ability to connect with people. Armed with his infectious energy and gregariousness, he was able to mobilize people into action in any situation. He was famously capable of starting a party anywhere including what was probably the first (and only) flash-mob ever on the 405 Freeway!

It was without a doubt the happiest and greatest moment of Mark’s life was on 26 November 2012 when he and Shelly welcomed their precious baby Grant into the world. Mark proudly shared each and every detail of Grant’s progress with friends and family back in Ireland with almost daily emails and photos. The Cunningham family will forever cherish the visit of Mark, Shelly, Grant and Pat (Shelly’s mother) to Ireland in February 2013 for Grant’s christening in Newbridge.

Mark fought many battles over the years and won them with the unwavering love and support of his wife, good friends and family. He fought his last battle at Hoag Hospital on 30 April 2013. May he rest in peace.

Once Mark came to California he knew he was here to stay. We will celebrate Mark’s life at the Church of our Lady of St. Carmel beside his beloved ocean at Newport Beach on Saturday 4 May at 11 a.m. He will be laid to rest afterwards near his home at Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Memorial Park in Costa Mesa.

Donations if desired may be made to the American Cancer Society.