The Cunningham Family: Music in the Air and Lots of Loving Everywhere

Resident Feature by Sheila Turner-Hilliard

Thanks to Alpha Century Security of Newtown Square for sponsoring our Resident Feature.

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Meet the Cunningham Family: Kelly, Kerrilyn, Devon, CJ and Sean. If these five friendly faces seem familiar, then you have likely spent some time at Ellis Athletic Center or on the fields at Newtown Little League. Kelly, the kids and their puppy, Tucker, are always on the move! Whether it’s on the fields, walking the neighborhood or hosting impromptu dance parties, this family keeps moving forward.

Perhaps you don’t know the Cunninghams personally but you remember them through Kelly’s late husband, Clinton. A decorated officer with the Newtown Township Police Department, Clint passed away unexpectedly a little over three years ago, while working out at the gym. He was a loving, devoted father, husband, brother and friend, and is described by his peers as being a great police officer but an even better person.

The Cunninghams’ story is one of love, laughter, faith, family and community. Like a beautiful love song that stands the test of time, looking back to where it all began helps us to appreciate and understand how their story continues to carry on.

Kelly grew up in Springfield, with her parents and three siblings. She graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High school where she played basketball, lacrosse and ran cross country. Kelly’s love for basketball continued as point guard for the Gwynedd Mercy University Griffins. After Kelly earned her degree in Elementary Education with a focus in Special Education, she began her career teaching kindergarten at Manoa Elementary School in Havertown.

These days, you’ll find Kelly combining her love for sports, fitness and education at Ellis Athletic Center. She’s a Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor and Nutritionist, and is currently launching her own program to help women develop healthy habits.

Clint Cunningham grew up in southwest Philly, attended St. Clement’s Grade School, and graduated from West Catholic High School. Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Clint entered the police academy. He began his career with the Philadelphia police force, assigned to the First District in south Philadelphia.

After serving nine years there, Clint was hired by the Newtown Township Police Department, where he excelled, and in 2018, was named the recipient of the Walt Wolff Award for Officer of the Year, just one week before he passed away. He had also earned a promotion to Sergeant along with a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Joseph’s University, both of which were awarded posthumously.

When asked to tell the story about how Kelly and Clint met, Kelly’s eyes light up. “We had a mutual friend, Brian,” Kelly explained. “Brian and I both went to Gwynedd Mercy, and Brian and Clint had grown up together.” Although Kelly and Brian were close friends in college, she and Clint didn’t finally connect until after graduation. “I’m not sure how our paths didn’t cross sooner!” she said. “Clint had been up to visit Brian at school a bunch of times, but somehow we never met.”

Kelly laughs when telling how their love story actually came to be. Brian, on a match-making mission, was out with Clint one night and mentioned Kelly’s name, yet again. Brian then excused himself, leaving his phone on the table. Kelly says she doesn’t know what came over Clint, but he grabbed Brian’s phone and called Kelly, to introduce himself. Thinking it was Brian calling, she was shocked to hear Clint’s voice on the other end. It was a short conversation, but enough to convince Kelly to meet Clint, Brian and some friends for a casual night out at Barnaby’s. “I went to Barnaby’s in Havertown, looked around but couldn’t find them. Turns out they were at Barnaby’s in Ridley!” she said laughing. “Once we figured that out, I jumped back in my car and headed down the Blue Route.”

It took only a few minutes for the pair to hit it off. “I could tell immediately that Clint was a gentleman,” Kelly said. “He was funny, too. He had this dry sense of humor and a way of quietly cracking jokes so only his closest friends would hear.” As the night went on, the connections deepened. They both loved sports and fitness. She and Clint also discovered that they each came from close-knit families and were raised by devoutly Catholic parents. Family and faith were at the top of their lists, so it was no surprise when they became engaged within one year of dating and married six months after.

The couple spent their early married life living in Philadelphia, for Clint’s job. But when the police department lifted their residency restrictions, they made the move to Newtown Square. Clint told Kelly that he always wanted to live in Newtown Square because to him, it felt like the country and a healthy escape from living and working in the city. As a child, Clint would often spend weekends with his cousins at his Uncle George and Aunt Janet’s house in Newtown Square. A lot of that time was spent watching his cousin Chris play ball at the Newtown Edgmont Little League fields, and Clint just knew it would be an amazing place to raise children. For Kelly, Newtown Square felt right because it kept her close to her family. They were excited about their move soon after Clint joined the Newtown Township Police Department in 2013.

With a new home and a growing family at the forefront, Kelly and Clint decided that Kelly would leave her teaching position, to homeschool their children. “Clint’s schedule as an office included shift work, so homeschooling gave us the flexibility to spend a lot of quality time together as a family,” Kelly explained.

That flexibility also allowed Kelly, Clint and the kids to have more dance parties than they could count because as much as Clint loved basketball and sports, he loved music even more. He was always in charge of the playlist, and his kids loved every minute of it.

After Clint passed away, Kelly enrolled the kids at St. Anastasia’s. Oftentimes when Clint was on duty, he would stop into our area school buildings, just to check in. He enjoyed getting to know the faculty, staff and kids. Kelly considers it another blessing that shortly before Clint passed, he told Kelly how much he loved St. Anastasia School. That made her decision a bit easier and the kids adapted well.

Kerrilyn is the oldest of Clint and Kelly’s children. She is a 7th-grader who loves basketball, track, cross country and field hockey. Kelly says she is absolutely just like her dad. “Kerrilyn is a born leader. She’s confident, smart and incredibly funny.” She also shares her father’s love for music.

Next is Devon. She’s in 6th grade and aspires to be a doctor someday. Like her big sister, Devon plays basketball, lacrosse and field hockey, and runs track and cross country. “Devon is a sweetheart,” said Kelly. “She’s kind, mature and has lots of friends.” Devon loved to snuggle with her dad, and she holds tightly to those special memories.

CJ is Kelly and Clint’s oldest son, named after his father, Clinton Joseph. CJ is an active 11-year-old 4th-grader. Kelly described him as a kind and awesome big brother. “He’s a hard worker, but he’s also chill, like his dad.” Clint loved to watch CJ play baseball at NELL, and spent much of his time off playing basketball with him in the driveway.

Rounding out the bunch is Sean, who is a spitting image of his dad. At just 5 years old and in Pre-K, he has managed to wrap them all around his cute little finger. “Sean is a character,” chuckled Kelly. “He’s funny, outgoing and loves starring in his sisters’ TikTok videos.” Following in his big brother’s footsteps, Sean is playing Tee Ball at NELL this spring.

When asked how she manages life without her partner, Kelly was quick to respond. “I will tell you it’s hard sometimes. Clint and I were a great team, we had a strong, loving marriage and I miss him terribly,” she said. “But my family, Clint’s family and this amazing community is what carries us through.” Kelly feels blessed knowing that someone is always there to help. Kelly’s parents and her sister, Natalie, are just minutes away, and Clint’s parents recently moved to Newtown Square so they could help with the kids. Both families, whether near or far, have given Kelly and the kids their unwavering support as has their Police family, their Ellis Athletic Center family, their St. Anastasia family and the entire Newtown Square Community. The Cunninghams are well loved.

Clint, Kelly and their kids packed a lot of memories into the time they had together. And Clint’s legacy will continue to live on through the wonderful gifts he gave his family: His unconditional love, undivided attention and unwavering faith that surround Kelly and the kids every single day. He gave them life’s perfect playlist. Turn it up and dance!

Do you know a Newtown Square Resident or Family who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming magazine features by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.

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