Rev. Msgr. Richard G. Cunningham died Dec. 28.
He grew up in Milton, the son of Frank A. Cunningham and Rose Alice (Branley) Cunningham in a family of nine children.
He attended Boston College High School, Boston College and prepared for the priesthood at St. John Seminary. He was ordained Feb. 2, 1957, at Holy Name Church by the Most Rev. Jeremiah F. Minihan. He offered his first Mass on Feb. 10 at St. Pius X Church in Milton.
His assignments included: St. Mary, Georgetown, 1957 to 1960; St. Joseph, Needham, 1960 to 1964; St. Joseph, Medford, 1964 to 1969; study, Catholic University of America, 1969 to 1971; study, Rome, 1971 to 1972; St. Patrick, Watertown, 1972 to 1973; St. Joseph Novitiate, Newton Highlands, 1973 to 1976; Pastoral Institute, 1976 to 1978; and St. John Seminary, 1978 to 2004.
He was named a monsignor in April 1998. He was granted senior-priest retirement status in 2004 and thereafter, entered Regina Cleri.
Msgr. Cunningham was professor of canon law at St. John Seminary, Blessed John XXIII Seminary in Weston and lecturer at CUA. He was also president of the Canon Law Society of America.
He is survived by three brothers, William A. Cunningham, of Wilmington, Philip J. Cunningham, of Arkansas, and Edmund P. Cunningham, of Littleton, N. H.; and his sister, Sister Theresa F. Cunningham, of Watertown.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Paul Church, Wellesley, on Jan. 2. Burial was at St. Joseph Cemetery in West Roxbury.