Anthony Renard Cunningham Sr. (Big Tony), Entered eternal life on Tuesday, February 27, 2018. His spirit is carried on by the love of his life, Ollie R. Cunningham (Cookie) his wife of 43 years and his eight children; Clarissa, Assata, Carolyn, Jessica, Keairea, Kahliah, Kimberly and Artez. His son-n-law, John Abbey Jr. and his twelve grandchildren Christopher, Marcus, Meisha, West, Amani, Kahliah, Naomi, John, Aliyah, Kai, Ollie and Zemonie. As well as two great grandchildren; Naomi and Eli. His nine siblings, Grant Cunningham Jr., Nossie Robinson, Ronald Cunningham Sr., Marceita Cunningham, Marquerita Crawford, Baron Cunningham, Donna Jones, Carolyn Cunningham, and Edward Cunningham I. Five sister-n-laws; Lena Cunningham, Mavis Cunningham, Wanda Cunningham, Verna Sidbury and Jacqueline Lee. Tony is survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends; too numerous to list but not forgotten.

Tony was preceded in death by his son; Anthony Renard Cunningham Jr, (Little Tony), grandson; Elie Karim Williams, father; Grant Cunningham, Sr., mother; Thelma W. Cunningham, brother; Rufus Cunningham Sr., sisters; Lillie Nelson, Thelma Brown, and Nellie Moody, sister-n-law; Tina Bell and brother-n-laws; Robert E. Lee Jr., Randolph Lee, Michael Lee Sr. and Jerome Lee.

In his lifetime, Tony touched every person that he met, leaving countless life lessons, personal impressions and a piece of his heart behind.

On December 28, 1954, Tony was born in Washington DC, the ninth child of fourteen to Grant Sr. and Thelma Cunningham. After high school, on July 24, 1975, he married his high school sweetheart, Cookie. Tony would proclaim to everyone, that as he reflected on his life and measures each of his decisions, that marrying Cookie was the best decision he ever made. He adored and glorified his wife every chance he could. Cookie and Tony spent every day and night together in love from then on. Their 43 years of marriage has been a pillar and an example of unconditional love for the world to see.

In 1976, Tony became a mechanical engineer with over thirty years of service to River Park Mutual Homes. He used his talents to help so many by not only building but teaching the art of constructing to anyone who wanted to learn. He loved working with his hands and never shied away from demolition or reconstruction and he enjoyed the big jobs especially when he was working with his friends. Being exceptionally multitalented, those who knew him, knew that he could do anything he put his mind to. Showing his children by example that if you can read it you can achieve it, he was our very own Superman.

Not only was Tony talented but he was a light that God blessed us with, attracting everyone around him to his charismatic personality.  When he spoke, his voice had an automatic authority that made the world stop and take notice. If you met Big Tony one time, he made you a part of his life forever. He engraved people in his heart and never forgot a name. He was a lover of happiness and a selfless giver. He gave his time, his talent, and never skipped the opportunity to give his catchy words of wisdom, which we engraved in our hearts.

Tony knew the meaning of "friend". His friends were his family and he cared about his entire family with a level of empathy that is unmatched. He put himself in the shoes of others every day and believed that we are all members of one body. He was a mentor and he taught that we are stronger together, we are family and he would never allow us to say good bye, only see you later. Today is not our goodbye, but a see you later, so Peace and Love Tony until we meet again.