Gene Cunningham passed away

I saw Pinball Inc's Facebook post.

I hope he'll be remembered for getting the Big Bang Bar remakes done.

LTG : (

I miss seeing Gene at shows with a few tables full of NOS Williams/Ballys goodies from back about 10-15 years ago or so, when I was building my 90's W/B collection and restoring everything as I went. We all knew he had tons of desirable NOS stuff tucked away in storage that he probably long forgot about, or might not of even known he had, so it was always exciting to see him at a show and wonder if he had that NOS W/B grail part you were looking for.

May he rest in peace, and sincere condolences to the family and friends.

Sorry to hear. R.I.P. Mr. Cunningham.

Aw.. sad to see. His interviews were fascinating, and he really moved mountains and proved remaking games was a possible, desirable and (with proper logistics) profitable.

He was an amazing asset to the community.be at peace sir.

Dad gone, this guy was a true Legend. He got those machines
out by sheer will from what I understand. The Great Arcade is a little farther along.

R.I.P Gene. He was always a fixture at the shows. Should have got in on BBB but I did get a bunch of parts and his book on Dave Christensen.

So sad to read this. He was a gentleman and a pioneer in the world of pinball and will be truly missed. Condolences go out to Georgianna and the rest of the family.
R.I.P.

John and SuAnn Dayhuff

Sad to hear this news. Very interesting guy and life. Condolences to the family.

Sorry to hear about this. His name and what he did will always be Pinball Legend.

RIP Gene. He was always willing to sit and tell stories at shows. Definite asset to the hobby.

Rip gene. So glad to have met and spent a full day with the man and see the wonder and love for pinball through his eyes.

Condolences to his family and friends. Rest in Peace Gene.

Sorry to hear RIP Gene

I remember the first time I met him at one of the early Pinball Fantasy shows in Vegas.
We both had a great appreciation for those Bally Christensen pins.
I remember going to one of his pinball auctions in the early 2000s in Bloomington Ill.
One of the true pinball pioneers.

I am so sorry to hear of this. Gene was always very good to me and he did a lot to keep this hobby moving forward. Prayers to Gene's family. I hope they can find piece in this situation.

Sorry to hear .I still remember and appreciate when IPB was one of only a couple resources keeping the parts market and in turn hobby alive in the dark days. RIP Gene.

Really hate to hear this. Prayers and thoughts with his family.

I met him at a show In Pennsylvania and he was very friendly and talkative. We spoke about BBB and his Kingpin upcoming remake interest. I told my wife this was THE Gene Cunningham and he laughed about his fame.

Rest In Peace Sir.

I bought a bunch of parts and playfields from him. Class act!!! RIP.

He had a true passion for the hobby. Got to eat lunch with him and spend some time with him years ago. IPB was really starting to produce some parts after years of nothing and I truly believe he was losing money on a lot of what he was selling. You will always be remembered. RIP Gene Cunningham.

Always interesting talking with Gene at shows. Miss that a lot.
He took the time to give my son and me a lengthy tour of his collection when picking up some rare parts in Bloomington.
Wally

Well shoot that's sad to hear. I'll play a couple games on my BBB in memory of him this weekend, thankful to own one of the machines he made possible.

I met Gene and his lovely wife at the Rochester Pinball Show way back. I brought my previous Big Bang Bar machine (#34) at the time to be used in the tournament (and so that others could have a chance to play it).

His words to me before knowing it was my game was, “Who the hell would bring their game to a show? Are they nuts”??

I raised my hand and said, “Me!” Then I asked him to sign my translite. Haha!!!!

He was very nice to me and kind.
RIP Gene and condolences to the family.
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Sorry to hear.
Would love to talk with Gene at shows. He would regularly show up at the Columbus arcade/pinball auctions in the late 90’s early 2,000.

Last time I talked with him was at his place when I picked up my BBB

Yep. That was the day that pigs flew.

RIP Gene and condolences to your family. You were a pioneer of pinball and a true shooting star. You made a difference in this world and will be missed.

RIP Gene. He was quite the pinball character with lots of crazy stories.

Gene was a rich eccentric who was throwing away his life savings into attempting to resurrect pinball long before it was the cool thing to do.

RIP Gene!

Much love rip gene

I'll always remember the one show I was talking his ear off at a show.

Very cool guy with tons of knowledge and we will miss you

RIP Gene.

RIP Gene

Very Sad

My thoughts go out to Kim and Her Family at this Sad Time.

RIP

https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/3/21/14937540/history-of-big-bang-bar-pinball

Great read about Gene and his legacy

A sad day no doubt. Oddly I just picked up a BBB last week Friday. He certainly proved if there a will there’s a way. A really wonderful guy that will be missed and left a defining mark on this hobby. RIP Gene.

What a super guy. Very sad to hear he is gone. I met him at the Kalamazoo MI "Pin at the Zoo" show several years ago where he and his wife both signed my copy of "Mad Dog and his Art". They were both patient in answering all my questions, and spent a good deal of time simply chatting. He will be missed.
Murphy

If anyone can find an Obit honoring his lifetime, please post it. Thank you.

RIP Gene.
Thanks for all you have done for this community.

I think Gene is the reason pinball is so healthy now. No BBBs from him, no CGC,no Stern LEs, he showed people what was possible. He left the pinball world a better place. Thanks Gene.

So sad to hear, RIP
Was he ill?

11 - TOPcast pinball show #11
TOPcast - This Old Pinball radio talk show TOP Cast
Duration: 1:06:07
Published: Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:30:00 -0500
Episode: http://www.pinrepair.com/topcast/showget.php?id=11

Media: http://www.pinrepair.com/topcast/topcast_11.mp3

Norm & Shaggy TOPcast pinball show #11 with Gene Cunningham (Illinois Pinball). Gene talks about buying Williams/Bally parts assets and remaking Capcom Big Bang Bar.

RIP, Mr Gene.
Lots of great stories.

We lost another legacy, legend, pioneer,.
Guys like Gene are why we are still here.
Here's to playing and remembering the ones that make it so we can still play.
Pinball is fun, Thanks Gene for making it that way.
Im sure he will make the arcade in the Heavens the best place to play!

Sincere condolences. Rest in peace sir.

Prayers and condolences for family and friends. I met him once at a Rochester show, a man with pinball passion in his blood. So sorry to hear. Rest in peace Gene

Rest in peace Gene knowing your legendary place in the pinball world will never be surpassed.

End of an era.

Shadow Plastics Superset loaded with unobtanium pieces wouldn't have happened without him.

He is an absolute legend. Sad to hear he is gone. RIP Gene

I first met and spoke with Gene, if memory serves me correctly, at Allentown back when it was held at the vendor market. I was newer to the hobby then, and he took time to converse with me and give me some of his opinions.
I gained so much in that 15-minute chat with him, later I learned more about his legacy in the hobby.
Tis' sad news indeed - it's the passing of one of pinball's unique individuals. RIP.