Neil J. Cronin

1930 - 2016

Neil Joseph Cronin, age 85, of Stoughton and Falmouth, MA, died on February 13, 2016, at the Norwood Hospital from serious illness. He leaves his wife, Kathleen Comeau Cronin, after 37 loving years of marriage. Born in 1930, in Boston, MA, he was the son of the late Lt. Colonel Neil and Catherine O'Brien Cronin. Neil spent his early childhood in West Palm Beach. FL. He graduated from Roslindale High School and later earned a Bachelors Degree from St. John's Seminary in Brighton. He was ordained in 1955 and served his first ministry at St. Pius, Lynn. In following years he was appointed to serve at St. Matthews in Dorchester and later to St. Susannah's in Dedham. The Cardinal appointed him as Ecumenical Liaison for the Diocese to other religious denominations within the Greater Boston area. After choosing to leave the active ministry, Neil earned a Master's Degree in Social Work from Columbia University. He then served as the Director of Social Services at the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton and also established a private counseling practice in the surrounding communities of Canton, Sharon, Stoughton and Walpole. Mr. Cronin was a member of the National Association of Social Workers. He is the brother of the late Patricia Cronin Dempsey and John Clinton Cronin. He leaves twelve devoted nieces and nephews in addition his late nephews John Cronin of New Jersey and his brother Neil Cronin of California. Neil was an avid Boston sports fan. He followed Tom Brady of the Patriots, Bobby Orr of the Bruins and Larry Bird of the Celtics. He spent many happy hours boating to the islands of Cape Cod with family and friends. Neil loved visiting new places and enjoyed traveling with groups to China, France, England, Italy Switzerland and the Galapagos Islands. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Church, 700 Washington St., Canton at 10:30 AM. Visiting hours will be Friday from 4-8 PM in the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington St., Canton. Interment will be private. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Massachusetts Hospital School, 3 Randolph St., Canton, MA. To sign guest book see: dockrayandthomasfuneralhome.com.