Raymond Havelock "Joe" CUNNINGHAM

IN LOVING MEMORY OF RAYMOND HAVELOCK (JOE) CUNNINGHAM

It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Cunningham, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on December 20, 2025 at the Kiwanis Village Lodge in Nanaimo. Joe passed away peacefully after a long struggle with Dementia.

Joe was born in Strasbourg, Saskatchewan on January 17, 1938; the youngest of six children.

Joe’s mother (Francis) moved her children to Nanaimo in 1948 and settled in the Departure Bay area. Francis worked at least 3 jobs at a time, trying to provide for her family.

Joe was a go-getter from an early age, earning money by delivering newspapers. In the summertime he ran a concession stand in Departure Bay where he made the best French fries. He would be up at the crack of dawn, peeling the potatoes by hand. He also had a concession stand at Grandview bowl Raceway where he worked on the weekends. Other jobs included pumping gas, and running a tow truck. Later Joe worked in the press room at Nanaimo Free Press as a pressman (which was very hard work).

Joe was hired by Jack Harris as a salesman and soon a sales manager. That’s where he first met Graeme Roberts. They decided to branch out on their own, opening a used car lot. They were very successful selling used cars and expanded their business moving to Bowen Road in the early 1970’s. It was called Cunningham & Roberts Motors (C&R Motors).

Adding to their success, they acquired the Toyota franchise followed by the Honda franchise on the adjacent property.

After several years, Joe and Graeme went their separate ways. Joe kept the C&R Toyota dealership and Graeme kept the Honda dealership while also pursuing his career in politics.

In the early 1980’s, Joe went on to take over two more Toyota dealerships: Duncan, and Courtenay. Then Joe Cunningham Ford, in Parksville. The last dealership to be sold was Joe Cunningham Ford in 2013. To this day, you can still see Joe’s name on the back of cars and license plates.

This was the first time Joe was not working since being a young man. He missed going to work so much, he didn’t know what to do with himself. He considered opening a used car lot, but by now he was in his late 70’s and he was showing signs of slowing down. So, it never came to fruition.

Joe enjoyed playing and watching golf in his spare time, along with boating or fishing.  One of his favourite things to do on the weekend was building a big bon fire and maybe having a hot dog or two.

Joe loved the car business, and he put in years of dedication and hard work to afford an amazing lifestyle for him and his family. Joe loved to travel, taking many trips around the world. He loved to gamble in Las Vegas, and was invited regularly by the top casinos.  He had a passion for watching Formula 1 racing, and was able to attend some of the races in Europe and abroad.   He built beautiful homes,  wintered in Palm Desert, drove expensive cars, wore beautiful clothes, ate at the best restaurants, BUT he never forgot about his humble beginnings in Departure Bay.  He was a very generous, kind, giving man.  Always there to help others. He’d give you the shirt off his back. He was a great mentor to many co-workers sharing his knowledge and expertise with them, he was well respected and admired.

Joe is fondly remembered for having a great sense of humour, always telling jokes and stories followed by an infectious laugh that would get the whole room laughing with him.  Joe was a true gentleman. He had so much charisma and charm and was loved by so many. Joe was one of a kind!  He was fun-loving and there were many, many good times and stories to be told! He had a larger than life persona and a magnetic personality.  People were drawn to him; making friends easily, he was always surrounded by good friends and family.

He will be deeply missed but forever cherished.

Joe is survived by his only remaining sibling (Rod) who is 95 yrs old., wife (Leslie) sons, Courtney,  Drew(Jessica), son Raymond(Kelly) daughter Shannon(Gord), son Douglas.

Grandchildren  Robert, Leah, Danielle, Hanna Rae, Jack. Great granddaughter, Gracelynn.

Joe is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Special thanks to the staff at Kiwanis Village for their compassion, love and respect for Joe.

Much appreciated.

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