July 4, 1933 - December 20, 2024
It is with deep sadness, we announce that our father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and mentor - Chester Raymond Cunningham passed away on December 20, 2024. Chester was born in Slave Lake, Alberta on July 4, 1933, the third child in a fourth generation Métis family. His parents Walter and Maria instilled many values in Chester - he was kind, honest, loving, feisty, funny, strong, tenacious and had a passion for justice.
He loved sports - especially baseball. He left high school to play semi-professional baseball in 1952. Chester soon met the love of his life and best friend, Edith Elzaida McGhee, and they were married in Carbon, AB. It was a party to be remembered. Together, they raised a family of seven, building a life filled with love and laughter. Family was an important part of Chester’s life - Christmas tree hunting, gatherings at the Cunningham home, nature walks together, and family reunions in Wayne, AB.
In 1964, Chester was hired at the Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton where he began assisting Indigenous Peoples engaging with the Canadian justice system. He soon founded Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA). NCSA had court workers, sponsored half-way houses, a young offender group home, homemaker program, a fine-option program, Indigenous educational programs and opened Canada’s first Indigenous operated prison-healing centre - the Stan Daniels Centre. Chester received countless awards and recognitions, including honorary Chief of the Peigan Band, the Alberta Order of Excellence, the Order of Canada and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta. He was a mentor for many. After
Chester retired, he remained an avid bowler and advocate for building the Hazel Bluff community hall. He served as a board member for several societies and still showed up in court to support friends and family.
Chester is survived by his children: David (Rebecca), Calvin, Carola, Bill (Judy), Mark (Debbie), Frank, Rosalie; siblings: Lenard, June, and Ken; grandchildren: Tahnis, Ceileigh, Jesse, Crystal, Sandy, Nicole, Teneya, Shani, Layla, Cora, Nina, Matthew, Anna, Melissa, Amanda; and great-grandchildren: Nora, Robin, Canon, Dayna, Dillon, Quinn, Charlie, Askiya, Makao, Gloria and Weston as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and unofficial family members. He is predeceased by his wife, Elzaida, parents: Walter and Maria, siblings: Hank, Robert, Reva,
Theresa, Roy, and Glenn.
A memorial service will be held at Northeast River Valley Park 903 153 Ave NE, Edmonton, AB, on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. with a celebration to follow at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alberta Diabetes Association.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family by visiting westlockfuneralhome.com
Westlock Funeral Home & Crematorium Ltd.
780-349-3474
