Joyce Boone, another member of the choir, organized the celebration that left the guest of honour feeling quite touched.

"It was quite a surprise - I didn't know anything about it," he admitted. "The wall was all decorated with congratulations on 50 years of faithfulness in the church, and they had a little luncheon. It was very, very nice."

The choir, under the direction of Janice Beninger, practices every Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. and sings every Sunday during the 11 a.m. service. During the summer, the choir takes a break when the schedule is reduced to one 9 a.m. service, and resumes practice and singing again in August. The celebration for Cunningham's landmark occasion came on the last night the choir would practice together until August.

Cunningham first joined Waterdown Knox Presbyterian Church in 1956, and became a member of the choir in 1958. Five years prior to that, he had attended and sang in the choir for the Knox church in Dundas, and at the same time was singing with the Bourdon Male Choir in Hamilton.

"Our choir leader in Dundas was also the leader for that (male choir)," he explained.

Although Cunningham's vocal range is best suited for tenor, the Waterdown church was lacking a bass when he joined, so he was asked to sing the part and has stuck with it all the way through.

Cunningham's wife, Ann, has been singing with the Knox Presbyterian church choir for 28 years. "Just a child," John joked.

During Christmas and Easter, the church puts on special services that feature Christmas songs and special hymns to fit the occasion.

When asked about his favourite part of being in the choir, Cunningham explains that it is the simple act of singing that he most enjoys.

The most challenging part comes from the different anthems that have multiple layers and parts, but with practice, he noted, it comes together.

Although he has been asked to sing solo for the choir, Cunningham admits his nerves get the better of him. " I've sang duets, quartets and trios but I will not sing alone," he stated.

The choir also visits nursing homes two to three times a year to bring a little cheer to the residents.

Cunningham is also involved with the Saturday breakfast put on by the men at Knox Presbyterian Church, initially launched to raise money for an addition to the church. Over the past 15 years, the weekly meal has raised $250,000, which has been put towards a kitchen replacement and upgrades to the gathering hall and basement.

"There was 35 people the first time we had it (the breakfast), and about a month ago we served 187 people," he said.

"In two hours," Ann added.

The breakfast is also a good outreach tool for the congregation. "I'd say 75 per cent of the people Saturday morning are from the community," Cunningham explained.

Another choir member, Len Scobie, had the guys adding in skits during some of the concerts that were put on.

"He's quite a character," noted Cunningham of his choir-mate. "One time three of us got dressed up like the Andrews sisters and sang their songs. We put on a fashion show one time. The last skit Len and I did, I was an interviewer, and I was interviewing a man from the past. He was out in the gathering hall so no one saw him. I was telling how famous he was so I started by saying, 'And out of the past comes the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver; the Lone Ranger rides again!" And he comes in a on a little hockey (toy) horse. Oh, we've had a lot of fun."

Cunningham is close with his fellow choir members, and they often get together socially.

"Some of us are going up to Walters Family Farm in Bright, Ontario. There is also a teenage band in Toronto that plays nothing but Big Band music; they put on a dinner and the band plays. A number of us from the church are doing that," he said.

Harry Williams, who joined the choir about a year ago and sings beside Cunningham, told the Review that Cunningham is just a terrific guy, pure and simple.

"He goes out of his way to help others. He drives people who wouldn't otherwise be able to make it to church. He also does Meals on Wheels. He is just one fantastic guy."

The fondness is mutual. Cunningham says Williams is a great guy, and explains that their voices blend together beautifully in the choir.

The choir is at about 17 members now, but Cunningham can remember years ago, when he was first starting out, the numbers were closer to 30. The age range in the choir is anywhere from about age 40 to members in their 80s.

Cunningham said his favourite piece to sing is How Great Thou Art.