John Cunnane: volunteer on a mission

Paying back the country where an Irish-American immigrant found success, By Anya Tikka SHOHOLA — “I wanted to give back to the community after moving to Shohola,” said John Cunnane, a volunteer with Lackawaxen Township/Shohola Township Senior Center. For about three years now, Cunnane has been delivering meals to the elderly; in addition to serving as an active member of the Shohola Volunteer Fire Department, as well as helping out at the St. Ann’s Parish Church. Sitting at home with autumn sunlight streaming through his picture windows, Cunnane said, “This country has been good to me,” with a smile and a nod to his wife of 45 years, Eloise. Cunnane came to the US from rural Ireland at age 20. He was born and raised on a small island called Inisbofin, with just 250 inhabitants, nine miles off the coast of Galway. His family lived on fishing, and there was only a ferry that connected them to the mainland. The wind blew constantly, and it was very rainy, said Cunnane. One of seven children, he left in search of greener pastures. “I already had a sister and an uncle in the USA, and they sponsored me in,” recalled Cunnane. ”I went to New York City first, and qualified as an air, refrigeration and heating repair engineer, and worked there until retirement six years ago. “ According to Eloise, there never was a complaint about him during all his years of service, and he always had a smile on his face, and listened patiently to people’s problems. Cunnane started volunteering when they retired to their house in the country, after seeing an ad and also hearing an acquaintance mention it. They’d owned the vacation house for 20 years. Helping friends move from Brooklyn to Shohola brought them to the area initially. “It can be rough in the winter,” said Cunnane, “and sometimes I have to get out of the van and walk up to people’s houses.” Most people on his list are elderly, and find it hard to look after themselves anymore. According to Cunnane, the service goes out no matter what, because people need their meals, but in extreme weather, everyone on the list has their ‘blizzard’ pack, a frozen food supply that they keep ready in their freezer compartments. Most people are happy just to receive the meals, and don’t stop much to chat, although everyone is appreciative, said Cunnane. He has about seven to nine households on his list, and goes out once a week on Thursdays. He mentioned a lady of German origin who’s already in her eighties, but still goes about mowing her own lawn in ‘her big boots’ and likes to stop to tell stories of her long life, for ten minutes or so. Eloise is also active helping with the St. Ann’s parish church. Together, they have raised five children aged 34 to 44, all married, and living fairly close by. “Ireland is still calling him,” smiled Eloise. He still has two brothers on the island. Alhough he said winters can be hard here especially for driving with the ice on the roads, he also mentioned the eagles, trees, bears and space that captured the couple when they first came to the area. They bought their house, and kept coming up whenever they could. According to Eloise, John always sees the bright side of things, and is always happy. His disposition has led to a life free of complaints from work or volunteering, and now recognition for his valuable service in his new community.