Rev. Robert W. Cronin

The Rev. Robert W. Cronin died on Wednesday at his home in the McAuley, in West Hartford. The son of William H. and Mary E. Wilson Cronin, he was born on August 15, 1926 in Hartford. Educated at St. Michael School, he went on to St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, St. Bernard Seminary in Rochester, NY, St. John Seminary in Brighton, MA and St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, MD. He was ordained on May 22, 1952 in St. Thomas Seminary Chapel. He served as assistant to the pastor at St. Patrick Church in Mystic 3 years, Sacred Heart Church, Groton, 2 years, and St. Mary Church, New London 8 years. At St. Mary Church he was also made Director of Catholic Charities New London district. At the beginning of his second year of ministry the former statewide Diocese of Hartford was split into three with the eastern portion of Connecticut becoming the Diocese of Norwich. In 1965 he was appointed pastor of St. Maurice Church in Bolton, and made director of the Diocesan Liturgy Commission, elected also to the Priests' Senate of the Diocese of Norwich. Liturgical updating of St. Maurice Church building and the construction of a parish center were accomplished during his 15 years there. He made it a point to learn every parishioner's first name as he felt this was very important. He was next assigned as pastor of St. Agnes Church, Niantic 10 years. And in 1990 he was assigned to St. Colman Church in Middlefield. In each of these parishes, he updated the physical plants in some cases, substantially, however his focus was primarily on bringing renewal to the liturgical experience for those he served. In 1988 he was made a member of the diocesan Presbyteral Council, a post he held until 2008. In 1996 because of increasing deafness he reluctantly retired and went to live with his brother in West Hartford, eventually moving to the McAuley in 2009. In February of 2011, the parish of St. Maurice rededicated the Parish Center Library and renamed it in honor of Fr. Cronin. He is survived by his nieces, Raelene L. Cronin, and Karen C. Seligson and her husband Ray; his great nephew Alexander C. Seligson and sister-in-law Elizabeth Cronin. He was predeceased by his brother, William H. Cronin III, and his sister and brother-in-law, Louise M. and John J. Cronin. He would like to think that his most important contribution in each parish was the spiritual and liturgical enlightenment he offered. He will be received into St. Maurice Church at 3 pm on Friday. Calling hours will be Friday from 6 to 9 pm in St. Maurice Church, 32 Hebron Rd. Bolton, CT. On Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 10:30 am in St. Maurice Church in Bolton, the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, will celebrate the Funeral Mass for Fr. Cronin with Father's brother priests as concelebrants. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Diocese of Norwich, Retirement Plan for Priests, 201 Broadway, Norwich CT 06360. Molloy Funeral Home, West Hartford has care of arrangements. On line expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com

Rev. Robert W. Cronin

August 15, 1926 - December 28, 2011