Dr. Paul Edward Cundey Jr.

Augusta, GA – Entered into rest on Saturday, August 13, 2022, Dr. Paul Edward Cundey Jr., 85, husband of the late Katharine Marie Cundey.

Born September 9, 1936, as first child to Paul E. Cundey, Sr. and Ann Morris Cundey. He attended Parochial schools in Philadelphia and graduated from LaSalle University, where he was secretary of his class and President of the pre-medicine club. Then attended Temple University School of Medicine graduating in 1962 and finished his first year of internal medicine at that institution in 1963.

In 1959, he and Kathy Marie Zerbey, the love of his life were married and celebrated their 55th anniversary in 2014, shortly before Kathy’s death in September of that year.

Paul then entered the United States Army Medical Corp as Captain serving at McDonald Army Hospital and upon discharge in 1965 receiving a Certificate of Achievement for initiating new treatment procedures and clinics to treat hypertension, diabetes, and kidney disease.

He and Kathy and their two sons then moved to Augusta in June of 1965 where he finished his medical residency (1965-1967). In June of 1967 he was named a research fellow of the National Heart Institute and began his cardiology training and research into the heart’s immune system at the Medical College of GA.

They were blessed with two additional children: Heath in 1966 and Beth in 1970.

After completing his fellowship training, he joined the faculty at MCG rising to the rank of Professor in 1984. During the years 1970 to the present, he established a private practice of cardiology and was blessed in seeing thousands of patients many of which became dear friends.

He and his brother, Dr. David Cundey established the first Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at University Hospital in 1974 and helped start the Cardiac Surgery Program that same year. In 1980, Dr. Cundey went to Switzerland and worked with Dr. Andreas Gruntzig and upon return started the Angioplasty Program at University Hospital which at the time was the 37th hospital in the world to offer this service. The many interventional cardiologists at University Hospital in the years since have saved thousands of lives.

His research led to new techniques to treat diseased vein grafts and presentations at national and international meetings. He was privileged to give presentation in many state meetings and overseas in Austria, France, Italy, and Spain. He and his colleagues published many abstracts and articles in regional and national journals. Professional memberships included Fellow, American College of Physicians, Fellow, American College of Cardiology and Fellow Society for Coronary Angiography and Coronary Interventions.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife and best friend, Kathy. He is survived by their four children and 9 grandchildren, Richard (Neisha), Paul III (Tanya), Heath, Elizabeth Ann (Richard), and grandchildren, Lisa Marie, Paul IV (MacKenzie), Zachary, Mary Katharine, Hannah, Rachael, Quinn, Kendall, Braylin, great-grandchildren, Georgia and Caroline, brother, Dr. David W. Cundey (Joan) and sister, Linda Cundey Kohler. He is Predeceased by his sister, Ann Cundey Deasy.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 19, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Saint Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Father Mark Ross celebrant. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. The service will be livestreamed at stmaryonthehill.org.

The family requests no flowers be sent, donations may be made to the Saint Mary School Endowment, 1220 Monte Sano Ave., Augusta, GA 30904, or Pregnant Choices Medical Clinic, 4325 Washington Rd., Evans, GA 30809.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com