Joseph M. Cronin

Cronin, Joseph M., of O'Fallon, Missouri, died on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at the age of 87. Joseph was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 17, 1925, the son of the late Michael and Minnie Cronin. He was a graduate of Beaumont High School who served honorably as a member of the United States Navy Seabees in World War II and the Korean War.

Joseph married Joyce Beard Cronin on November 23, 1946. He is survived by his 3 children, Susan Cronin Sullivan of Dallas, TX, Joseph Michael Cronin of St. Paul, MO, and Janice Cronin-Brookhart of Manchester, CT; and 4 grandchildren, Daniel Joseph Sullivan, Joseph Michael Cronin, Molly Sue Cronin, and Neal Patrick Cronin. He is the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Joseph was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #5077 of O'Fallon; owner of the Western Auto Store in O'Fallon from 1957 through his retirement in 1988; volunteer Firefighter in O'Fallon; and active member of the O'Fallon community and successful businessman.  Joseph was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed family time, Annual Seabee Reunions, Dixieland music, yard work, tending bar, the Dallas Cowboys, and daily Cutty Sark's and Sunday Bloody Mary's, for medicinal purposes. He was a constant source of love, support, guidance, and friendship to his children and grandchildren, and was also smart, funny, and the life of the party. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Missouri Veterans Home.