Grafton – Joseph “Joe” James Zephyr Cronan, 95, passed away on December 8, 2021, at the Care One facility in Millbury. His wife of 42 years, Orcilla “Kitty” (Barone) Cronan passed away in 1990.
Joe was the father of 5 children: Donna (Heap) Cronan, Patrick Cronan, Sandra (Souza) Cronan, Judith (Shepley) Cronan and Cory Cronan. He is survived by Patrick, Sandra, and Cory.
Joe was born April 27, 1926 in Holyoke, MA, son of the late Mildred (LaCount) and James Cronan. He was the oldest of 5 children. His siblings are Willian, Loraine, Irene, and June. He has 8 grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren.
Joseph was a WW II veteran (US Coast Guard Service) and served on the USS Albuquerque (PG-115/PF-7), a Tacoma-class patrol frigate. Albuquerque shepherded convoys between various Alaskan ports and conducted patrols around the Aleutian Islands and in the Bering Sea during the war. He entered the war at the age of 17, with his mother’s signature. Joe would get terribly sea-sick in the rough ocean conditions around the Aleutian Islands. He feared seasickness more than the enemy.
He got involved in Massachusetts politics and was the Western Massachusetts campaign manager for a young Massachusetts politician. Joe and Kitty even had the politician and his wife over to their house for dinner a few times. This young politician was Jack Kennedy. Joe probably spent the last 30 or 40 years of his life discussing politics with people, whether they wanted to discuss that subject or not.
Joe worked for over 30 years at Rex Chain Belt Company (later Rexnord). He rose up the ranks from time keeping to Production Manager and Purchasing Agent, with only a High School GED. Joe spent his retirement enjoying his home, working in his yard, and sharing stories and quality time with friends, family, and neighbors. He also spent a number of years teaching night school and sharing his real-world business experience with his students.
He was a big supporter of the Boy Scouts in Grafton and was a Committee Chairman for Troop 107, Troup 106, and later the district. Joe loved to go trailer camping and annually took his large family up to Sebago Lake in Maine or to the Cape. Joe was loved by everyone during his life and will be greatly missed.
All are welcome to gather with Joe’s family and friends Monday December 13th from 9:00 – 10:30 am at Roney Funeral Home 152 Worcester St. N. Grafton, MA 01536 followed by the celebration of his Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Philip’s Church on West Street in Grafton. He will then be laid to rest at St. Phillip’s Cemetery in Grafton. Please join Joe’s family at 1:00 pm for a reception at the Post Office Pub at 1 Ray St, North Grafton.
A Book of Memories to share a special message with Joe’s family is available online at:
