James
James J. Cunha
d. September 12, 2023
Cranford
James J. Cunha (76), son of Jaime R. and Rosa Cunha, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
James, fondly known as Jim, was born on August 20, 1947 in Newark, NJ. At the age of 19, he was drafted into the Army to fight in the Vietnam War. He later served an additional 3 years before being honorably discharged in 1972. After serving in the Army, he would go on to graduate from William Paterson University with a degree in Communications.
Jim's love for sports prompted him to become a coach for Pop Warner football, where he touched the lives of inner-city youths. He was also a baseball coach for various community teams. He loved rooting for the New York Yankees and his favorite player was Mickey Mantle. Jim also had a deep love for animals, especially horses. He was a certified trainer of standard-bred horses for many years. Jim dedicated 20 years of his life to teaching History and Social Studies to high school students at both Essex Catholic and Queen of Peace schools.
Jim is survived by his wife of 45 years, Maria Flor Cunha, his sons Christopher and Jaime, and his daughter-in-law Stacey. He is also survived by his beloved Godmother Rose and other cousins, nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation for James in Galante Funeral Home at 2800 Morris Ave. Union on Friday September 15 from 4-8 PM. Funeral from the Galante Funeral Home at 8:30 AM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael's Church in Cranford on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
Cremation will be held privately.
*In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital- a charity Jim was actively involved with and held dear to his heart.*
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James J. Cunha, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, September 15, 2023
4:00 - 8:00 pm
Galante Funeral Home-Union Location
Visitation
Saturday, September 16, 2023
8:30 - 9:00 am
Galante Funeral Home-Union Location
Mass
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Starts at 10:00 am
St. Michael's Church (Cranford)
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