I was at a wine-tasting lunch in Tuscany this September. A met a group of six adults, all family members on vacation, sitting next to me. They said they were from Guam and so of course, I asked them if they knew Joe Cunningham. Of course, they shouted!

The proceeded to tell me of Joe's work in Guam, and all about his family. Joe was a well-known musician, publicist, media guy, etc.  Very active his whole career. He and his kids had a wonderful band, and they were all well-known and loved. One of the woman said she was also a publicist, and she and Joe worked on several projects together.

Uncle Toto....how ironic that I would run into this group of strangers who knew Joe, and who had such fine memories of him. I shared my stories of Joe, of his bongo drums, of the time we were in a two-character play by Tennissee Williams, how Joe and I and Chuck Burton and Bruce Chang (I think these last two were there) did some volunteer work at the Shriner's Hospital in LVille.

They thought Joe died of cancer. They said it was a very short, quick illness that took many by surprise.

Peggy Kucen

if I posted this the wr4ong place, please tell me. Haven't been on here in years. Email me if you want more information...

mccann.peggy@gmail.com

Peggy, thanks for posting these great memories of Joe.  He and I grew up just down the street from one another and had been friends since probably third grade.  At some point in the last 15 years, we re-connected via the Internet and talked often.  He introduced me to his family through photos and stories, and shared with me how his life had taken shape.  He was such a happy man, and it was such a pleasure to know about his children, his music, and his life on his beloved Guam.  We connected in large part because it seems to me that he and I lived farther away from Louisville than any of our graduating class.  It was a huge shock to me when he died.

Thanks again for posting your experiences in Italy.  The world is so small, isn't it?

Cristina

It's too bad that I didn't know Joe beyone high school.  I always remember him as a funny guy who was very friendly and made people laugh.  I wish I had known him later in life.  I can imagine what a fun life he lived.  It is sad to think of his passing, but I will always have fond memories of Joe.

Chris....Ah yes,it IS a small world.  

Chris, I live in Victoria, BC. Moved to Toronto Canada in 1975 and to BC in 1989.  So here I am in Italy, at a winery, talking to strangers from Guam, who knew Joe from Kentucky. Very small world. 

Joe and I also connected on facebook briefly, about 6 months before the reunion. We were both going: "hey, if you go, I will go" " well, only if you go, then I will go" conversations. I am sorry neither one of us ended up going... 

But I was pleased to finally connect with him, for even a short while. His pictures, his life, his kids, all seemed so busy, happy, and talented.

Peggy