John Francis Cronin M.D.

John Francis Cronin, M.D. John Francis Cronin, M.D. was born in New York City on February 2, 1930. He grew up in the Bronx and graduated from Power Memorial Academy in 1948. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in 1952 from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana. John then traveled to Cork, Ireland, the hometown of his parents, Stephen and Anna, where he earned his medical degree from University College Cork, Ireland. In 1961, tired of the freezing east coast winters, he made his way to Long Beach, California and began his medical residency at the Long Beach Veteran's Administration Hospital. He completed his last year of residency at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. He went into private practice, specializing in internal medicine in Long Beach. In 1988 he joined Memorial Medical Group (now Health Care Partners Medical Group). After practicing medicine in Long Beach for over thirty years, he retired in 1999. Although retired, he continued to receive calls from patients seeking counsel, conversation, and assurance. He loved his work in internal medicine. Initially he thought he might be interested in a career in pathology, but realized he would solely be working in a lab, and being so fond of people, decided he needed a change where he could interact with the masses. After his retirement, he was involved in many voluntary organization. He believed in giving back and being involved in the community he so loved. He was a member of the Downtown Long Beach Lions Club for over 25 years and served as club president and zone chairman in 4-L2. He loved organizing and hosting the annual St. Patrick's Day program, planning the annual Night at the Races, and organizing the Lion's Children's Christmas Party. He also remained involved with Health Care Partners Medical Group. He was on the board of directors for the Long Beach Chapter of the American Red Cross and always enjoyed the annual "Health Care Day" on Catalina Island. He was also involved in with the Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. He was a strong supporter of the Steel Magnolias of Stramski Center and was honored with the Stramski Community Award in 2005. He was predeceased by his sister Sheila O'Brien of Auckland, New Zealand. He is survived by his daughters, Diane Hecht and Kathleen O'Neill; son, Stephen (Julie) Cronin of Batavia, Illinois; and grandchildren, Dan O'Neill, Audrey O'Neill, Aidan O'Neill and John A. Cronin and Joseph Cronin, also of Batavia, Illinois; his sister, Elizabeth "Betty" (Dan) Moylan of Boston, Massachusetts; and niece and nephews, Sean (Susan) Moylan, Stephen Moylan, Patrick Moylan, and Michael Moylan, Anna O'Brien, Colleen O'Brien, Morna O'Brien all of Auckland, New Zealand. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2010, 11:00 a.m., St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 3955 Orange Avenue, Long Beach. In lieu of flowers donations to the following organizations, on behalf of John F. Cronin, are requested: Macular Degeneration Association (maculardegenerationorganization.org), Alzheimer's Association (alz.org), American Red Cross (redcross.org). Whites Funeral Home (562) 867-2741 www.whitesmortuary.com