A sad loss for Archbishop Wood sports family

Brian Cunningham, 44, died Sunday just hours after watching his son, Sean, play for Archbishop Wood on Friday night in the PIAA Class AAA football championship game in Hershey.

According to Wood athletic director Joe Sette, Mr. Cunningham was found Sunday in the kitchen of his home by a family member. Sette did not know the cause of death.

"We're just shocked, stunned here at Wood," Sette said. "I remember seeing him in the crowd Friday night at Sean's game. There's just no way to explain it."

The younger Cunningham closed out his high school career Friday night in the District 12 champion Vikings' 34-7 loss to defending state champion Thomas Jefferson.

Sean Cunningham, a 6-foot, 200-pound senior, rushed for 1,777 yards and 26 touchdowns this season as the Vikings posted a 12-3 record. He gained 32 yards in the championship game, but was held scoreless.

Like his son Sean, Brian Cunningham was the recipient of a Maxwell Football Club award when he was in high school. He was a 1982 graduate of Wood.

Viewing hours for Mr. Cunningham are 6 to 9 tonight and 9 to 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Fluehr Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd., Richboro. A funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. at Nativity of Our Lord Church, 625 W. Street Rd., Warminster.