John V. "Jay" Cunio II, 45, of Derry, NH, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Parkland Medical Center in Derry, NH. Born on September 25, 1980, in Lowell, MA, he was the beloved son of Brian Cunio and Jill Donovan.
Jay brought a lifetime of service to both his country and his community with his work helping those affected by substance use disorders. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1999 to 2010, an experience that shaped his commitment to discipline, accountability, and teamwork, values he carried throughout his life and career.
Jay specialized in relapse prevention planning and strategic processing, helping clients identify risk patterns, develop practical coping strategies, and create structured, sustainable recovery plans. He was known for his active, outgoing approach and his ability to engage clients through direct communication and collaborative problem-solving. Working closely with the Veterans Administration and veteran communities, Jay provided informed, compassionate, and culturally competent support to those navigating recovery after military service.
Above all, Jay was a devoted husband, father, son and friend. He cherished every moment spent with his daughters and could often be found at the hockey rink or softball field, whether coaching from the bench or proudly cheering from the sidelines. His unwavering love, encouragement, and enthusiasm made him one of their greatest supporters. In recent years, Jay embarked on a journey toward health and wellness, a pursuit that became a great passion for him. Through his experiences, he inspired and guided others, openly sharing his story and offering encouragement, hope, and practical support to those striving to improve their own lives. Jay was also an avid Boston Bruins fan who enjoyed sharing his love of the game with family and friends.
Jay is survived by his beloved wife, Kimberly (MacKenzie) Cunio of Derry; his two daughters, Shyloh Weatherbee of Westwood, MA, and Kenzie Cunio of Derry; his mother, Jill Donovan of Chelmsford, MA; his sister, Traci Olsen of Northampton, MA; his aunt, Coralee Gendron and her husband, Dominic, of Leominster, MA; his uncle, Bruce Donovan and his wife, Joanne, of Chelmsford, MA; as well as many cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.
He was predeceased by his father, Brian Cunio; his uncles, Lee Donovan of Manchester, NH, and Garry Cunio of North Andover, MA; and his aunt, Nancyne Forzese of Hopkinton, MA.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, NH. A funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the funeral home, with Military Honors immediately afterward.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or directly to Jay's family through the GoFundMe fundraiser established to support funeral expenses and his family during this difficult time. https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-jay-cunios-funeral-services/