Richard T. Whacka Cunningham passed away at home, on March 2nd, he was 73. Richard was born in Stoneham, raised in Malden, graduated from Malden Catholic High School, Class of 1949, where he lettered in baseball, football and hockey. Mr. Cunningham attended Brandeis University in Waltham for 2 years before entering the US Army and serving during the Korean War. After his discharge from the US Army, he finished his degree at Brandeis and began his career as an educator. Richard taught at Fairfield High School in Maine for 2 years, 1 year at Charlestown High School, 11 years as a science teacher at the Lincoln Jr. High in Malden and then as a Vice Principal & Guidance Councilor at Malden High School for 25 years. Whacka was an avid golfer, a member of Bellevue Golf Club in Melrose since 1973 and has been the acting secretary for Bellevue for over 10 years. Mr. Cunningham had been inducted to the Malden Catholic Hall of Fame in recent years, was a lifetime member of the VFW and a former member of the Melrose Kiwanis Club. He was the beloved husband of Helene M. (Spencer) Cunningham. Loving father of Robert & his wife Melissa of Melrose, Richard T. Jr. & his wife Stacey of N. Andover and William & his wife Lisa of Somerville. Son of the late Thomas & Grace (McNulty) Cunningham. Brother of Robert Cunningham & his wife Ann of NJ. Devoted grandfather of Emma & Daniel, Abby & Lily and Isabel Cunningham. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Monday March 7th at 9AM. Funeral Mass in The Church of the Incarnation, 425 Upham St. Melrose, at 10AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Sunday 4-8PM. Burial in Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. In Lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Pl. West, 6th Floor, Brookline MA 02445-9924.