Gerald Eugene Cunico

It is with incredible sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Gerald E. Cunico, age 90, on 9 April 2025 while surrounded by his family. Gerry was a wonderful husband, brother, friend, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Known for his loyalty, mechanical acumen, strong opinions, and willingness to engage in vigorous discourse, Gerry made friends where-ever life took him. He retired from UNM in 1988 as the Department Chairman of the Industrial Education Dept., followed by a second career at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he retired as the Associate Dean of the Business School. He is survived by his wife Laura and her daughter Shannon, sister Patricia and husband Charles, brother John and his wife Lucille, sons Stephen and wife Audrey, James, Jeffery and wife Jennifer, grandchildren Rachel, Catherine, Christopher, Samantha, Mathew, Joshua and Jacob, and great-grandchildren, Nora, Bruce, Caleb, Robyn, Eleanor, Lyra, and two new great-grandchildren to be named lateer.

Gerry was born in Sopris, CO on 14 March 1935 to Angelo and Caroline Cunico. He married Roberta Martinez Cunico, on 20 September 1958 and was married for 39 years until her passing on 26 November 1997. He graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1953, Trinidad State Junior College in 1955, and then spent 4 years in the Air Force as a Radar Operator. He graduated from UNM with his Bachelors in 1964, followed by a Masters in 1968, and then a PhD from Utah State University in 1973. His interests included golf, fly fishing, coaching his son’s little league teams, Lobo Basketball, the Dallas Cowboys, restoring his 1956 Chevy Belair, and talking daily with his family and friends from high-school, college and career. In 35 years of teaching, he educated hundreds of future teachers, plant managers, and aspiring business people and his positive impact on so many lives cannot be measured. His final wish was to be remembered as a good person, who had three fine sons and the love of two wonderful women. He will be incredibly missed by his family, and friends.

Memorial Mass will be held at Risen Savior Catholic Church, 7701 Wyoming Blvd. N.E. Albuquerque, NM on Friday, 25 April 2025 at 10:00AM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The American Kidney Foundation or to The American Heart Association.