Joseph James Cronin Sr.

Joseph James Cronin, Sr,(Paw Paw) at age 87 passed away peacefully in his home in Metairie, LA on Friday, November 4th, 2011. Beloved son of the late Michael Raymond Cronin Sr. and Alice McMullen Cronin. He is survived by his wife, Judith Whitney Cronin; son, Joseph J. Cronin Jr.; daughters, Susan C. Burghardt, Michele Cronin, Joanne C. Bourgeois and Kelly C. Gagliano; son-in-laws, Gary Burghardt Sr., Kenneth Bourgeois; daughter-in-law, Jeanne L. Cronin. He is survived by his sisters; Alice Provost, Gerardine (Deanie) Brown, Ethelda Hoppe and brother, John L. Cronin. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Hilda Mary Conzonire Cronin, son, Michael Cronin, brothers, Jeremiah Cronin, Michael Cronin Jr., James Cronin and sister, Althea Cronin. He leaves behind 12 grandchildren: Colleen Ulrich, Gary Burghardt Jr., Christopher Cronin, Michael John Cronin, Shannon Cronin, Mary Esther Cronin, Joseph Escalante, Sean Cronin, Matthew Escalante, Ryan Bourgeois, Jessica Gagliano and Blake Bourgeois. He also is survived by 4 great grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all.

Mr. Cronin was born in New Orleans in 1924. A native of the Irish Channel, he attended Redemptorist School and was a 1943 graduate of St. Aloysius High School. He served during the 2nd World War for the U.S. Navy Seabees from 1943-46. Upon his return from war, he joined the Clerks Local Longshoreman's Union #1497. He graduated from the New Orleans Police Academy in 1946 where he served both as a patrolman and as a special member of the Federal Narcotics Enforcement task force. Following his retirement from the Police Department, he continued to serve on the Board of the Police Federal Credit Union. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6640 and American Legion Post 267. He was a member of the James Cardinal Gibbons Division of the Ancient Order of the Hibernian's in Jefferson Parish and was named Irishman of the year for 2010. He was a parishioner of St. Benilde Church in Metairie.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass from Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home Chapel 4747 Veterans Blvd. Metairie, on Wednesday November 9, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.

Interment in St. Patrick Cemetery #2.

Friends may visit on Tuesday evening November 8, 2011 from 6:00 p.m until 9:00 p.m. and after 8:00 a.m. until time of services on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, please have masses said in his honor or send donations to cancer research at the Ochsner Cancer Institute (504) 842-3708.