Richard (Dick) Francis Cronin, Sr., 85, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend died early in the morning on May 11, 2023, at his home in Brookfield, CT. In his last moments, he was surrounded by his family, including his wife and best friend of 64 years, Margaret (Peg) Mary (O’Loughlin) Cronin.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts on July 22, 1937, he was the son of James E. and Evelyn E. (Moran) Cronin and brother to the late Rev. James E. Cronin. He received a BS degree in Economics from Boston College and a Masters of Business degree in Finance/Marketing from the University of Bridgeport.
The people in Dick’s life will remember him as the perfect gentleman. Dick was energized by making genuine connections with every person he met. He was loyal, devoted, and young at heart. Dick protected those he loved. He supported the people he was with. He made wherever he went a better place. Dick approached everything in life with a light heart and every conversation with him had a joke or a kind word. His word was his bond. He faced his hardest challenges by putting those around him at ease and by relying on his principles to guide him.
He served in the Navy as a Supply Officer where he received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Cuba), National Defense Service Medal, and the Connecticut Wartime Veterans Service Medal.
He was employed by engineering, consumer product, and health companies, finishing his career at Bayer Health Care LLC as the Procurement Principal serving as the North American Representative for Global Strategic Procurement. He also co-founded and led as President MedConsort LLC, a Purchasing Consortium of International Health Care Companies. Dick gave back to the Purchasing profession in many ways: He was active as President of the Southern Connecticut Purchasing Association; Director and International Chairman - National Association of Purchasing Management Seven Counties; Lecturer - Purchasing Institute Dutchess Community College; Advisor - Purchasing and Material Management Board Iona College; Associate - Business Survey Committee National Association of Purchasing Management and achieved the professional designation of Certified Purchasing Manager.
Dick also served his community as a member of the Brookfield Lions, where he received the Melvin Jones Fellow, Ambassador of Sight, and Knight of the Blind awards. He was a Commissioner of the Brookfield Economic Development Commission, a member of the Brookfield Village Association, and a Puppy Raiser and Foster for Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
Dick enjoyed golf, photography, flying, SCUBA diving, and his community life at the Candlewood Lake Club where he lived for 29 years. At the age of 51, he started running Marathons and competed in Triathlons. In retirement, he produced/hosted television shows for Cable TV winning the NECTA Beacon Award for one of them.
In addition to his wife Peg, he is survived by five children: Theresa Cronin of Stamford, CT; Maureen Schlosser (Keith Schlosser) of Old Saybrook, CT/Vero Beach FL; Christopher Cronin (Elisa Gordon) of Oak Park, IL; Richard Cronin (Meika Neblett) of Lincroft, NJ; Kathleen Cronin (Michael Mullins) of Hingham, MA, and seven grandchildren: Kyle Schlosser, Katie Cornwall, (Brent Cornwall), Stephen Cronin, David Cronin (deceased), Nicolai Cronin, Jack Mullins and Nola Mullins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, Brookfield, CT.
Friends will be received from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, preceding the Funeral Mass.
Internment to follow at a later date at Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline, MA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions “In Memory of Dick Cronin” may be made to BluePath Service Dogs, 8 Country Club Rd., Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 https://www.bluepathservicedogs.org/donate or to the Brookfield Lions Charities, P.O. Box 660, Brookfield, CT 06804.
