Frank Gerald Cronin

Frank Gerald Cronin, age 93, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at his home in Walpole, Massachusetts.  Born in Paterson, New Jersey on May 6, 1928, he was the son of the late Frank E. and Marie B. (Clarke) Cronin.  He spent his early years in Passaic, before his family settled in Rutherford, New Jersey, while Frank was a teenager.  Frank graduated from Saint Peter's Preparatory High School in Jersey City with the Class of 1945.  Following his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army.  He attended Clemson University for a semester and transferred to Fordham University, but was called to active duty in June of 1946 and was discharged November 1, 1946.   Frank returned to his studies at Fordham, earning his bachelors degree, after which, he was recalled by the Army to serve during the Korean War.  In December of 1952, Frank was honorably discharged from the Army, and returned home to New Jersey, taking a position with the US Rubber Company.  In addition to working full time, Frank earned his MBA degree at New York University.

Frank married his beloved wife, Margaret "Peggy" C. Brogan, on August 8, 1959, in Jersey City, NJ.  The couple made their home in northern New Jersey.  Frank took a position with Allyn and Bacon, working as an academic book salesman.  In 1973, Frank moved his family up the East Coast, making his home in Needham, Massachusetts, and his career began advancing up the corporate ladder and became the National Sales Manager.  Frank remained with Allyn and Bacon through its buyout by Simon and Schuster Following his retirement in 1991, Frank was tapped to serve as a consultant for an additional few years, after which he and Peggy settled in Walpole, Massachusetts.  While home was in Walpole, Frank and Peggy looked forward to escaping the cold and snow of New England, spending the winter months in sunny Naples, Florida.

Throughout his life, Frank enjoyed staying active, playing rounds of golf with friends and colleagues, and testing out his racket on the tennis court.  After settling in Massachusetts, Frank joined the Needham Pool and Racquet Club and later made his home on the fairways of Royal Crest in Walpole.  As an avid sports fan, Frank was a New England Patriots season ticket holder and enjoyed following the Saint Louis Cardinals.  His social schedule did not end with sports, as he regularly gathered with friends for a game of bridge.  Frank enjoyed some quiet time too, reading the newspaper daily, catching up on current events, reading books, and was active in these endeavors until death.  He was a parishioner of St. Mary’s and a weekly communicant.  

Beloved husband of the late Margaret "Peggy" C. (Brogan) Cronin.

Loving father of Mary C. DiMaiti and her husband, Carl, of Medford, Anne Marie Bruckmann and her husband, Bob, of Walpole, and F. Clarke Cronin and his wife, Marcy, of Marblehead.

Cherished grandfather of Katherine M. Bruckmann and her fiance, Christopher Lavallee, Bailey M. Eckersley and her husband, Jake, Andrew F. DiMaiti, Carol A. DiMaiti, Maggie M. Cronin, and Matthew C. Cronin.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Frank's Life Celebration on Monday, April 11, 2022, from 4 to 7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

All are invited to gather in the funeral home on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 9:30 AM, prior to Frank's Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated in Saint Mary's Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole at 10:30 AM.  Interment will take place privately at the Star of the Sea Cemetery in Marblehead.

The Cronin Family is grateful for the care Frank received from Dr Bruce Johnson, Dana Farber and Brigham Hospitals.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Frank's name may be made to: Dana Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284.