Three Strikes

On Thursday morning, 24 Shevat / 03 February, my cousin Michael Thomas "Zeke" Cunningham passed away after a seven year battle with ALS (Aka Lou Gehrig's Disease). His obituary, courtesy of the funeral home website, is as follows:

Michael Thomas ''Zeke'' Cunningham

July 10, 1967 - February 03, 2005

Birthplace: East Rockaway, New York
Resided In: Albany OR USA
Service: February 10, 2005

Michael ''Zeke'' Cunningham was born in East Rockaway, New York, the son of James and Patricia (Leys) Cunningham. He moved to Albany in 1978 and attended Waverly Elementary School, North Albany Middle School and graduated from West Albany High School in 1986. He went to Oregon State University and played football, graduating in 1991. Mike married Janelle Lierman on August 8, 1987 in Oakville, Oregon. He had almost completed his Master's Degree through OSU when he contracted ALS. He taught at North Albany Middle School for 4 years and then went to West Albany High School where he taught and coached football, wrestling and track.
Mike enjoyed building as a hobby, but his passion was football and following OSU athletics. He loved West Albany High School, both kids and staff. In the summers, he installed sprinkler systems, built fences and other projects with his brother. His brother, Jim, named his company WIN Construction after Mike's motto: ''Whatever Is Necessary''. He traveled extensively while seeking treatment for ALS, including: Vermont, Maine, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Mexico, Nassau, Progue and Germany. He died Thursday in Albany after his long battle with ALS.
Mike was a member of the Oakville Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder.
He is survived by his wife, Janelle, daughters, Jenna and Ashton, and his mother, Patricia Spoon, all of Albany, brother, Jim Cunningham of Beaverton, and sisters, Helen Williams of Albany, Kim Bardin of Lebanon and Patti Geer of Long Island, New York. He was preceded in death by his father.
Memorial services will be held at 4:00pm, Thursday, February 10th at the West Albany High School Gymnasium. Contributions may be made to West Albany High School Athletics or The Cunningham Children's Scholarship Fund, which is being set up for the benefit of Mike's children, c/o Fisher Funeral Home, 306 SW Washington, Albany, Oregon

Mike was an inspirational person, both before and after being diagnosed with ALS. In the face of his own mortality he never gave up & I never once doubted him when he said he would find a way to beat the disease. He had a sprit and determination that made you believe. But sadly you can only stand at the plate for so long before you're either on base or walking back to the dugout. No third strike has ever hurt quite so much.

אני הלך אליו והוא לא־ישוב אלי

”I shall go to him, but he will never return to me”

- 2 Samuel 12.23

I have created an on-line memorial for Mike at BeliefNet