Merlin CUNNINGHAM

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CUNNINGHAM: Merlin Frederick. It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Merlin Cunningham, on September 3, 2011, at 69 years of age. He was predeceased by his parents Liskum and Nancy Cunningham and grandson Darrell. Merlin is survived by his wife Sadia and her daughter Madeleyne of Santo Tomás Chontales, Nicaragua. He is survived by his children with Eleanor: Peter (Tara) of Elkford, BC, Pattie (Leigh) of Souris, Tim Inkster (Toby) of Hartney and his grandchildren Tamara, Marie, Drew (Kaela), Timothy (Chelsea) Inkster, Courtney Inkster, Vicki Blagden, Mykle, Stephanie, Michael, and his great grandchildren, Jessica, Tray, Jordyn and Summer. He is also survived by his brother Carl (Sally) and nephews, David (Laural) and Jeff (Tammy) and their families. Merlin was born in Brandon on September 17, 1941 and raised on the family farm in Nesbitt, Manitoba. Merlin married Eleanor Fedak in 1961 and started a family in Brandon with their son Peter and then daughter Pattie. Merlin was a car and motorcycle enthusiast and took up parachute jumping and stock car racing in his younger years. He began his career in Brandon with the Manitoba Telephone System, and then worked as a technician with National Cash Register (NCR). Tim Inkster, a foster son, joined the family in 1971. Merlin purchased the 580 Hotel in Binscarth, Manitoba and sold the hotel in 1984 when Merlin went into partnership with his longtime friend Doug Mott. Together they purchased the Red Fox restaurant and lounge in Brandon. He enjoyed being an entrepreneur and in 1994 purchased the Windsor Hotel in Fleming, Saskatchewan which he ran for several years before retiring to escape Canadian winters in Central America. He met his present wife Sadia Fonseca Plata in Costa Rica and they resided in Santo Tomás Chontales, Nicaragua until his passing. His funeral was held in Villa Sandino, Chontales, Nicaragua, September 3, 2011. A memorial service will be held at a future date in Canada. He is forever in a tropical paradise with his feet in the sand.

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 10, 2011