The Late Aiden Cunningham

The death occurred of Aiden Cunningham on Christmas Eve morning, December 24 at the age of 55 years.
Aiden was born in Ederney, the fifth and youngest son of Brian and May Cunningham (nee Eves), brother of John, Mike, Vincent and Sally and pre-deceased by his brother Adam and sister Roisin. His father was Principal of Lettercran National School, Pettigo and his mother, the daughter of Adam Eves Publican, Ederney.
Following the death of his father in 1964, he attended Moneyvriece School, Ederney and St. Michael's College, Enniskillen where he proved academically outstanding as well as an important playing member of the College teams. He captained the school's Corn-na-Nog team which won the Ulster title in 1968 and was a member of the winning Rannafast team in the following year, 1969.
He began his teaching life in Lisnaskea High School and later moved to St. Michael's College, Enniskillen, where he spent the rest of his career, teaching Maths, Chemistry and ICT. That Aiden was an inspirational teacher and an exceptional mentor for many students who looked to him for support, was evident from the many stories and tributes paid to him by former pupils. He will be remembered by his colleagues for his humour and stories in the staff room, for organising staff outings and school formals and for his involvement in many successful school productions. Aiden retired from teaching in 2002.
Apart from teaching, Aiden's great love was gaelic football, having played for Fermanagh at minor level. In playing for Ederney GFC, he was one of the most prominent players of his generations as a juvenile and minor during the 60s and 70s and as a senior until his transfer to Lisnakea Emmetts in 1980. In 1979/80, he was player/manager of th St Josephs team which won the Intermediate football championship and the following year he masterminded Ederney's defeat by his adopted club (Emmetts) in the senior semi-final on his way to winning intermediate and senior championship medals in successive seasons. As a playing member of the University of Ulster (Coleraine GFC) he was awarded half colours for his services to gaelic football. After his own playing career was over, he was involved with many school teams as trainer and mentor.
Aiden was an all round sports person and excelled in many fields. As a runner, he completed both the Belfast and Dublin marathons. He played golf in both Clones and Blacklion, being a winning member of the Lawson Cup team. He enjoyed fishing around the lakes of Lettercan and Pettigo. He also had a great love of all kinds of music, being competent on both piano and tin whistle.
Aiden married Celia Breslin from Maguiresbridge, ad they were blessed with a family of four, Niall, Aideen, Brendan and Kate. He took great joy in the achievements of his children who inherited his academic and sporting abilities.

Courtesy of the Fermanagh Herald
January 27th 2010 Tweet

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