John Timothy Cronin

To view the video recording of Mr. Cronin's Funeral Mass, please see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2mGFsKFeTU

To view the video recording of Mr. Cronin's Committal Service with United States Coast Guard Military Honors, please see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y7A4veSL0E

John Timothy Cronin of Pepperell, MA passed away peacefully on December 16, 2022, surrounded by family. He is survived by his sister Mary Allan, six children and their spouses: Kenneth & wife Paula Cronin, Kerry Caldwell, Kevin & wife Liza Cronin, Kory & wife Virginia Cronin, Stacy & husband Mike Darling, Kimberly & husband Leo Gower, grandchildren; Kaileen & Kylie Cronin, Timothy Thomas, Marissa Baird, Tyler Thomas, Sophia Caldwell, Kelsey Cronin, Kaitlin Stevens, Landon & Ashlynn Cronin, Adelyn & Caden Gower, great-grandchildren Mason, Kailey & Cole Baird, Jaden Thomas, Liam & Lyla Stevens. He is also survived by many cherished family members of the Allan & Morrissey lines, along with stepchildren Tod & wife Tracy Hebenton, Darren & wife Tiffany Hebenton, Jamie & husband Mike Sampson, and their children. John is predeceased by his parents Arthur and Mary Theresa (Galvin) Cronin, sister Patricia Morrisey, brother Arthur Cronin Jr. & grandson Connor Cronin.

John was born in Melrose, MA on April 13, 1940, and raised in Malden, MA. He graduated from Malden High School in 1958. He served in the United States Army Reserves for six years attaining the rank of Sergeant.  John also served twenty-six years as a United States Coast Guard Reserve Electronics Technician out of Boston & Gloucester. He earned an associate degree at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT) in Boston and took various management classes at Northeastern. John played hockey during high school, for the BFIT team and in a men’s league at Skate Three in Tyngsborough MA. He played left wing and was known to be an extremely aggressive player. John was employed by GENRAD at the West Concord office for forty-two years as a Field Service Engineer & Technical Instructor until his retirement in 2003. John thoroughly enjoyed his travels during his Army years & for GENRAD across the United States, including Alaska, and abroad to Bulgaria, China, England, France, Germany, Ireland & Italy.

Initially, John began his family in Westford, MA then raised his children in the woods of Pepperell surrounded by conservation land. The family could often be found swimming at Mentions, gathered around bonfires in the back yard or playing pond hockey. John was a Boy Scout den leader for many years and shared camping adventures with his family up and down the East Coast. Passionate about flyfishing, he enjoyed making his own flies & the serenity of being on the river. John was a voracious reader who spent countless hours picking out books at the local library & bookstore. He was an avid New England sports fan, especially Bruins Hockey and passed that love down to his children. He enjoyed attending the sports games of his children & grandchildren. He adored babies and could always be found holding & quietly talking to the newest addition. Yearly, he hosted the extended family for Thanksgiving and a blazing bonfire in the back yard. John was an intelligent introvert who loved history, the Coast Guard, sports, nature, a good book and just being surrounded by his extensive family.

Visiting hours will be held in the McGaffigan Funeral Home, 37 Main St., (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA on Wednesday, December 21st from 4 - 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Grace worshiping at St. Joseph Church, 28 Tarbell St., Pepperell, MA  on Thursday, December 22nd at 10 a.m. John’s burial at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA will be held at a future date in 2023 with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to: The National Wildlife Federation ( https://www.nwf.org) or Trout Unlimited ( https://www.tu.org ).