COQUITLAM, B.C., December 12, 2023 – The City of Coquitlam mourns the passing of Don Cunnings, a Freedom of the City recipient whose indelible mark on the community spans four decades of dedicated service and volunteering.
During his tenure as a City employee, Don worked tirelessly as Coquitlam's inaugural Director of Parks and Leisure Services – a position he held until his retirement in 1994. It was under his leadership and advocacy that Town Centre Park was transformed from a gravel pit into an award-winning destination park that is a vibrant and much-loved community and regional amenity.
In honour of his pivotal role in the park’s creation, the City aptly named Cunnings Field after him – a lasting tribute to ensure that his legacy lives on.
Don Cunnings’ contributions extended far beyond his professional role at the City; his commitment to community service was unmatched. In 1973, he founded and led Coquitlam's first Search and Rescue team, showcasing his dedication to the safety and well-being of our residents. He was a driving force behind numerous community organizations, including the Coquitlam Heritage Society, Douglas College Centre for Sport, Recreation and Wellness Society (now known as the Douglas College Sports Institute), Douglas College Foundation Board, Canadian Association of Physical Education, Health, Education and Recreation, and the British Columbia Recreation Association, of which he was a founder.
In 2014, the City bestowed upon Don Cunnings the Freedom of the City – a fitting acknowledgment of his outstanding contributions. This honour added to an already extensive list that included the Queen Elizabeth Second Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Coquitlam City Council and staff extend their very heartfelt condolences to the Cunnings family, and the many friends that join us in mourning the passing of Don Cunnings. His spirit will live on in the heart of Coquitlam, a testament to the enduring power of his contributions to our City and beyond.
Coquitlam’s Freedom of the City Recognizes Outstanding Citizens
Freedom of the City is the highest honour a city may bestow upon citizen to recognize their distinguished service to the community. Recipients of this honour in Coquitlam have served the community with distinction, having made outstanding, long-term contributions to the city and supported significant improvement in community life and culture.
In addition to Don Cunnings, to date Coquitlam has conferred Freedom of the City on 11 other remarkable individuals: Sandy Burpee, Fern Bouvier, Reverend John Davies, Dorothy Fleming, Larry Fleming, Rene Gamache, Dr. J. Crosby Johnston, Jean Lambert, Bob McNary, Eunice Parker and Leonore Peyton.
To learn more about the Freedom of the City award and past recipients, visit www.coquitlam.ca/freedom.
Media contact:
Katie Karn
City Clerk
604-927-3010
media@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.