Robert T. Cronin, 94, funeral Mass Friday

 
 
A funeral Mass for Robert T. Cronin, 94, a Worcester native with a commitment to the Church and serving others, will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. in St. George Church, 38 Brattle St., Worcester. He moved to Tucson, Ariz., in 2018 to be near family and died there April 7. 

He began full-time employment with Catholic Charities Worcester County in 1978. He started the senior employment program there. He was administrator for two years at Mount St. Anne’s orphanage, then when a flood of refugees began to come into the United States from Southeast Asia and Cuba, he worked with the Catholic Charities legalization program to help qualified immigrants become permanent residents. He retired in 1995 but continued to teach in the citizenship program. He also dedicated decades to the Bishop’s Dinner program providing meals to the community on Thanksgiving and Christmas. In 2012 Bishop McManus awarded him the ninth annual Bishop Daniel Patrick Reilly Award for his service to Catholic Charities.

He was a longtime columnist for The Catholic Free Press writing the popular monthly Senior Scene column from 2002 to 2018 where he wrote about things as diverse as Flexible Flyers on Vernon Hill, roller skate keys, St. John’s grammar school and the old markets along Water Street. For 30 years he was part of the diocesan TV Ministry team producing the morning Mass. 

His wife of 55 years, Mary T. (Trainor) Cronin, predeceased him in 2010. He leaves a daughter, Maribeth Petrocelli and her husband Daniel, a grandson Thomas Petrocelli, all of Tucson; and a sister, Rosemary T. Cronin of Worcester. 

He was born in Worcester, son of Thomas F. and Margaret A. (Holloway) Cronin. He lived most of his life in Worcester before moving to Tucson.

Mr. Cronin was a 1946 graduate of Classical High School and a 1950 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross. After a year of teaching in the Worcester Public Schools and graduate study at Worcester State College, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He was proud of his two years of service in the Marines during the era of the Korean War and remained an active member in the Marine Corp League for many years.

He had a long career administering social programs in the Worcester area. He worked many years with the Worcester Community Action Council and then Catholic Charities.

Mr. Cronin had a strong commitment to serving his community. Among many interests, he was passionate about improving veterans’ affairs, immigration and citizenship opportunities, and education for the developmentally delayed. He loved to spend time outdoors and was known for his love of gardening, especially while listening to his favorite Irish music.

He was a longtime member of St. George’s Parish, and the Emerald Club.
There will be calling hours Friday, Sept. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. There will be a funeral Mass Saturday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. in St. George Church, 38 Brattle St., Worcester.

Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.