William “Don” Cunningham

10/10/31 – 03/28/12

Don was born in Tacoma, Washington to Bill and Vera Cunningham. The family moved to Vashon in 1938. Don commuted to Seattle for his education, attending Holy Rosary in West Seattle, Bellarmine in Tacoma and finishing high school at St. Martins Boarding School in Lacey. He attended Seattle University before enlisting in the Navy in 1950 during the Korean War, serving in Guam and Hawaii and submarine duty on the USS Tang and Queenfish.

He was married in Arlington, WA in 1960 to Gertrude Von Moos and lived in Anchorage, Alaska for two years before returning to Vashon to help his father with his business, the Vashon Tavern. Don purchased the Vashon Alibi Restaurant in 1963 and renamed it “Cunningham’s Alibi,” continuing there until 1974 when he built and opened his infamous “Spinnaker Restaurant”. In 1979 he moved on to begin his final career, beginning a successful business as a Manufacturers Representative to the Food Service Industry, retiring in 2001.

Flying his Cessna 180 in his earlier years was a great passion of Don‘s. He felt like he was soaring with the angels. Golfing was his favorite hobby and he was always striving to improve his game so he could beat his “golfing buddies.” During retirement Don enjoyed some international travel and some cruising, but his all-time favorite was hosting his family, for 20 consecutive years, to a family vacation in Lake Chelan. His favorite week of the year!

Don is survived by his wife Gert, children Diane Stoffer (Greg), Kelly Williamson, Jeffrey Cunningham (Connie), Grandchildren Michael, Tyler, Nick, Melanie, Maia, Quinn and Jack. Brothers Pat (Dale), Mike (Claudia) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother John “Butch” Cunningham.

A funeral mass will be held on April 12 at 11:00 AM at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Island Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to St. John Vianney Catholic Church, P.O. Box 308, Vashon, WA 98070, Vashon Community Care Center, 15333 Vashon Highway S.W., Vashon, WA 98070 or Vashon Island Fire & Rescue/EMS P.O. Box 1150, Vashon, WA 98070. You may sign the guestbook at www.islandfuneral.com and leave your memories of Don.

The sounds of his infectious laugh, his wonderful hugs and his deep love for his family will be with us forever. He was our rock!

Paid Obituary.