Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Employees Mourn Loss of Michael Cunningham

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office lost a 24-year veteran of the department. Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Michael Cunningham, 53, of Brielle, was weeks away from retirement when he died at Jersey Shore University Medical Center Monday, April 18 after an unspecified illness.

“I’ve worked with Mike on an everyday basis for nearly 25 years. He was an excellent prosecutor, a talented lawyer and a great friend,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw Jr. said.

A Monmouth County native, Cunningham grew up in Avon-by-the-Sea, where he attended Avon Grammar School. Cunningham received his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in 1979 and his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1982 before joining the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office in 1987 as an assistant prosecutor.

News of Cunningham’s unexpected death shook employees of the prosecutor’s office, who knew him as a dedicated and helpful coworker, according to Warshaw

“We’ve suffered a devastating loss,” Warshaw acknowledged.

During his time at the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Cunningham served as director of the Environmental Crimes Unit, the Arson Task Force, the Monmouth County Narcotics Strike Force, and the Trial Division; trial team leader; and administrative assistant prosecutor. He was promoted to deputy first assistant prosecutor in 2011.

“He left an indelible mark on the prosecutor’s office,” Warshaw said.

Cunningham took advantage of life on the Jersey Shore and was an avid sailor and fisherman, with memberships in the Belmar Fishing Club and the Manasquan River Yacht Club.

Cunningham is survived by his wife of nine years, Rachel L. Grant; his mother, Maureen Keenan Cunningham, of Bradley Beach; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Warren and Margherita Grant, of Tinton Falls.

Visitation will be at O’Brien Funeral Home in Wall on Monday, April 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at St. Elizabeth’s Roman Catholic Church in Avon-by-the-Sea on Tuesday, April 26 at 5 p.m.

Cunningham’s family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Brielle First Aid Squad, 710 Old Bridge Rd., Brielle, NJ 08730 or the Brielle P.B.A. Local # 395, P.O. Box 595, Brielle, NJ 08730.