Rev. Michael A. Cunnane
Deceased: 2014-12-05
Diocese: SAN DIEGO
ICTE Fall: 1988
Our much loved pastor, priest and friend, the Reverend Michael Aloysius Cunnane, passed away on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Fr. Mike, as he was fondly known here, was born on Sept. 30, 1935 in Kilgarriff, Co Mayo, Ireland. He was the son of Patrick and Annie Kate Cunnane. After completing studies at St. Peter’s College in Wexford, Ireland, he was ordained for the Motherwell Diocese, Scotland on June 4, 1961. He served in various parishes in Scotland until 1977 when he transferred to San Diego for health reasons. He served as associate pastor at St. Martin of Tours, La Mesa; St. Rose of Lima, Chula Vista; and the Mission San Diego de Alcala until appointed pastor at Guardian Angels Parish, Santee in 1986 where he faithfully served for 25 years. In June of 2011, he celebrated his 50th jubilee followed by his retirement in July. Fr. Mike was a humble servant blessed with many gifts, one of which was an amazing memory. He had a penchant for remembering not only your name but your story as well, even if he had not seen you for many years. He touched and transformed many lives by the way in which he lived the gospel message. Throughout his illness, many people sent cards and letters thanking Fr. Mike for bringing them back to the faith with his warmth, love, compassion and sense of humor. He is survived by his sisters Celine O’Connell and Mary Hollingsworth in Ireland; his brother Patrick Cunnane in New York; his sisters-in-law Mary Jo Cunnane in Ireland and Vera Cunnane in New York as well as 22 nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and nephews. His sister Patricia Sullivan died on Dec. 8, 2014, three days after Fr. Mike. He was preceded in death by his brothers John Cunnane and Edward Cunnane and his brother- in-law Michael Sullivan. Services for Fr. Mike will be held at Guardian Angels Church, 9310 Dalehurst Road, Santee. The Vigil and Reception of the Body is on Thursday, Dec. 11th, at 6:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be on Friday, Dec. 12th, at 10:00 a.m. with a reception immediately following in the Cunnane Parish Center. Fr. Mike will be laid to rest at Knock Cemetery Co Mayo, Ireland with his parents. Acknowledging Fr. Mike’s love and concern for the poor, in lieu of flowers it is suggested donations in his name be made to the Guardian Angels Food Bank or a favorite charity.
