Marvin A. Cunningham, R.W. Grand Master (2002-2003)

R.W. Grand Master (2002-2003)

R.W. Past Grand Master Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr., is enjoying life in the Back Mountain with his wife, Rosalie, at the Masonic Village at Dallas. They were among the first residents to move into the community’s first villa homes 11 years ago. While they no longer travel as much as they used to, they feel they have everything they need, right where they are: good friends, delicious food conveniently served at the clubhouse, and amenities galore … all without the hassles of home maintenance.

“We all get along like one big family; we watch out for one another. It’s just great,” Brother Marvin said. “I’ve heard a lot of people say, ‘I’m not ready for that yet.’ Well, you might wait too long – I’ve seen it happen too many times – then, when they finally come, they can’t enjoy it.”

After traveling extensively during his 25 years in the Navy and again through his service to Pennsylvania Masonry, Brother Marvin enjoys the simple things during this stage of his life.

“Retirement is when you have time to do what you want to do. I used to be a workaholic, and now I’m laid back,” Brother Marvin says. He enjoys relaxing with a book from the library or on his Kindle (he’s on his 848th book – and yes, he does count how many he’s read!) or watching some TV. He also serves as a lay leader at Dallas United Methodist Church, where he and Rosalie attend.

“We saw the [Masonic Village at Dallas] site before they even broke ground,” Brother Marvin recalls. “I think we made the right decision. The area is very nice. We’ve enjoyed making lot of new friends as well as keeping old ones.” They use the Irem Clubhouse often and appreciate the proximity to Misericordia University.

“I tell my friends, ‘Aging takes courage; it’s not for sissies.’ It’s a nice feeling to know I’ve been able to live a long life. Hopefully, the good Lord decides I’m not going anywhere
right away.”

Brother Marvin is proud of his home and the organization that built it. “We are a premier organization as far as I’m concerned. Our villages do things right; they’re just amazing,”
he attests. And he should know; his extensive travels provided him a large network of friends from across the Commonwealth and various jurisdictions throughout the United States and overseas. “They [other jurisdictions] can hardly believe what we do,” he says, with pride.

Brother Marvin feels his greatest accomplishment as Grand Master was the affiliation of the former Masonic Home of Pennsylvania (now Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill) with
the Masonic Villages of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which came into effect Jan. 1, 2004. “When I traveled to other jurisdictions, people never understood why the Masonic
Home was not a part of the Masonic Villages,” he said. The merger made sense, and the community continues to grow and flourish.

Having grown up in Carbon Cliff, Ill., Brother Marvin was made a Mason in Silvis Lodge No. 898 in 1961. After moving to Collegeville, Pa., to assume a position with Correctional
Industries, in 1980, he joined Warren Lodge No. 310, Collegeville, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1985. He went on to serve as District Deputy Grand Master for Masonic District 6 from 1988-1995.

The Cunninghams have two sons, Marvin, Jr., deceased, and Robert; a daughter, Lori; and two grandchildren. Lori is married to Brother Kevin Shumpert, also a member of Warren Lodge.