Bruce Cunningham, a Dedicated Volunteer

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- It is with great sadness that we let you know that Bruce Cunningham, a dedicated volunteer and leader within our community, passed away last week. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. Bruce was such a beloved friend to so many and his impact on those around him was incredible. Bruce Cunningham was a co-founder of The Woodlands Farmers Market and had a great impact on shaping it to what it has grown to today. He will be deeply missed. We would like to share with you his obituary.

At this Saturday's market, there will be a table set up with a condolence book for the family if you wish to leave your memories of Bruce.

There will be a mass on March 2nd at 1:00 PM at Saint Simon and Jude's Catholic Parish, 26777 Glen Loch Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381. In Bruce's honor, The Woodlands Farmers Market will close at 12:00 on that day, so that vendors and volunteers are able to attend the service.

Bruce Edward Cunningham

Bruce Edward Cunningham, born in 1936 in Queens, New York, passed away peacefully in his home in The Woodlands, Texas on February 6, 2024.

He is survived by his wife Mary of 64 years, his brother, Neil, his children, Christopher, Michael, and Elizabeth, his grandchildren, Caroline, Matthew, Philip, Dylan, Anna, and Charlie, and his great-grandchild, Ravel. His son, Timothy, has patiently awaited his arrival.

Bruce was a dedicated husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He lived an unparalleled life of service and generosity. He was a roof over your head in bad weather, and the first one to invite you to step out in the sunshine with him. He possessed throughout his life a deep curiosity for an enormous range of subjects, a knack for bringing people together, and above all a love of family.

He grew up in a Marine Corps family, attending a dozen schools before his high school graduation. He graduated from Norwich University with honors in 1958, holding a BA in Aviation Administration. He went on to graduate from New York University with honors in 1967 with an MBA in Management, pursuing further education in financial analysis at the New York Institute of Finance in 1972.

Bruce met Mary, the love of his life, in New York in 1959. They were colleagues at American Airlines, after a year of courtship they tied the knot in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1960. Bruce and Mary settled into married life in an apartment in Queens. Like Bruce, all four of his children were born in Queens, a family of proud New Yorkers.

Upon his graduation from Norwich University, Bruce spent a year as a Captain for the Army Reserve, serving as an Infantry Company Commander at Fort Belvoir. Throughout his career, Bruce accumulated 56 years of airline experience, including senior positions in corporate, government, foundation, and consulting environments. Bruce founded two airlines and three consulting companies, and worked executive level positions in household names like American Airlines, the Ford Foundation, PanAm Airlines, and System One Corporation. One role he was especially proud of was his tenure as Director of the Bureau of Operating Rights, on the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board. Political appointee of President Ford, re-appointed by President Carter, he led the analytical effort to economically deregulate the airlines, charged with a staff of approximately 40 attorneys and 200 analysts.

Bruce loved to travel so it was no coincidence that his work took him far and wide. He lived in almost a dozen states, including New York eight times and Washington D.C. seven times. He presented speeches on five continents to senior government officials and airline groups. He spent 15 years working abroad in 42 different countries, including Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Pakistan. He has proudly called The Woodlands, Texas his home for the past 35 years.

In 1989, he made his way to The Woodlands, Texas, and it was here that Bruce expanded upon his passion for civic engagement and community service. He was an active community leader, with an impressive roster. He was eight-time president of the Grogan's Mill Village Association Board, where he served for 20 years. He was six-time president of the MUD Board, where he served for 12 years. He co-founded The Woodlands Farmer's Market in 2008 and remained a manager until 2023. In 2015, he co-founded and served on the board of Aging in Place, a nonprofit that supports senior citizens who want to remain in their homes, in lieu of senior living facilities. Recognized as a "Hometown Hero" in 2016, the title could not be more appropriate.

Beyond his remarkable CV, Bruce had a warm and rich personal life. In his later years, he repeated often to friends and family that to have a balanced and fulfilling life it is crucial to "exercise, socialize, and have a purpose." He was a marvelous chef, an avid cyclist, and a triathlete. He loved the beach, loved to read, and loved to share his wealth of knowledge with those he loved. He made his words count, and he was happiest when he saw that those around him were happy. Bruce was held in the highest esteem by every member of his family, and made all those he took under his wing feel like they were part of the family.

Anyone who has spent time with Bruce knows that once they have Bruce in their world, there's no such thing as a world without Bruce. He will stay with us always in our hearts, and even in death will continue to bring us together.

Instead of flowers, the family asks that you send donations to the Arbor Day Foundation, or visit The Woodlands Farmers Market, whose proceeds go toward scholarships for local students and the Interfaith Food Pantry.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.