Obituary of Leonard Arthur Cunning

Cunning, Leonard "Len" Leonard "Len" passed away suddenly at home with his wife Dee and granddaughter Isla on July 3, 2020 in his 69th year. Treasured husband of Dee for 47 years. Loving father of Kevin (Jen) of Savannah GA, Ryan (Leigh), and Brent (Nicole), all of London. Proud and cherished grandfather of Collier and Davis of Savannah, GA, Taylor, Carter and Brooklyn and Isla of London. Len was born in Edmonton, Alberta on November 1, 1950. He played junior hockey as a defenseman in the AJHL for the Red Deer Rustlers. His professional hockey career began in the EHL for the Johnston Jets from 1970-72. He signed a contract with the Montreal Canadiens and was reassigned to the AHL, Nova Scotia Voyageurs from 1972-74. He was known as a hard-hitting, well-rounded defenseman and was never shy to drop the gloves. His career ended after an on-ice brawl in Rochester, NY. In spite of a long recovery and lingering effects from his injuries, Len defied all odds and earned an Honours degree in Physical Education and a second degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Western Ontario, where he played varsity hockey. He married the love of his life, Dee, in 1973. His focus shifted from professional hockey to a career in physiotherapy and raising a family. Len teamed up with Dr. Jim Roth and Dr. J.C. Kennedy to start an outpatient clinic. Their clinic grew to include additional orthopaedic surgeons and evolved as the Westminister Orthopeadic Rehabilitation Centre (WORC), an unprecedented inter-disciplinary model of care for individuals with musculoskeletal disorders. With Jack Miller, Brian Harris, Jim Millard and Colleen Williams, Len built a chain of out-patient physiotherapy clinics in London called Body Mechanics, which gained an outstanding reputation in the community for it’s high quality of care. The group sold Body Mechanics in 2018 and Len retired from his physiotherapy practice. He then focussed solely on family, grandchildren and golf with an exhaustive list of friends. Over many years, Len played hockey with the London Greys and then with the Ceeps Old-Timers while honing his golf game at the Oaks Golf & Country Club. More than anything, Len enjoyed babysitting and playing with his grandkids. He spent his short time in retirement tirelessly working on projects at his children’s homes in London and Savannah, Georgia. He was proud of his sons, their accomplishments and who they had become as husbands and fathers. Cremation has taken place. Future gatherings to celebrate Len's life will be organized once Covid restrictions have been lifted. (John T. Donohue Funeral Home)