ST. ALBANS – The Honorable Robert P. Cronin, longtime Franklin County resident and former probate judge, passed away on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at home with his loving family and friends by his side.
He was born on October 22, 1944 in Burlington to the late William Charles and Marion (Lynch) Cronin. Bob was 76 years old.
On December 5, 1992, he married Ruth Vincent Brady on Block Island, Rhode Island, who survived him.
Bob graduated from Richmond High School in 1962, where he played soccer, basketball and baseball. He attended the University of Vermont, where he played baseball for four years. At UVM, Bob was a member of the Kappa Sigma brotherhood. He received the Seman’s Trophy, presented to the senior athlete who has demonstrated a high level of athletic achievement and has earned the respect and esteem of his fellow students for leadership, loyalty, and service at the university. He graduated in 1966. Bob then attended Boston College, where he received a law degree. Bob then graduated from Boston University with a degree in corporate tax law.
On site, Bob served for many years as an attorney with Kissane, Yarnell, and Cronin (now Kissane Associates) before being elected and named probate judge for Franklin County’s 1993 AARP Volunteer Tax Advisor and longtime volunteer at the St. Albans Free Library. Bob also served in the Vermont Army National Guard.
Bob was an incredible athlete. For many years he played in baseball and softball leagues. He coached the minor league baseball and was the assistant coach of the BFA high school girl’s tennis team. In addition to his love of baseball, he played tennis for many years, including USTA League tennis. These tournaments involved traveling across New England to play. He also played golf. He stayed strong and fit by training in the CPSC gym for many years.
Bob loved music. He had a large record collection that he had cataloged (before Google) so he could cross-reference it and quickly find the songs he wanted. He played many different instruments. He enjoyed playing in the Citizens Band and also in the bell choir of the First Baptist Church. He taught himself to play the piano. It was a pleasure to hear his music all over the house.
Bob is survived by his wife Ruth Cronin from St. Albans, brothers Michael W. Cronin and wife Penny from Greensboro, North Carolina, and David C. Cronin and wife Janet from Satellite Beach, Florida. Sheila Cronin Cariani and her husband Paul and their two boys John and Jeff Cariani.
Bob is also survived by his in-laws, William Vincent Sr. and Beverly A. Vincent of Enosburg, brother-in-law William Vincent Jr., and his wife Penny and their three children, Tara Bill III. and Angela.
In addition to his parents, Bob had died of a little sister, Mary Ellen Cronin, and Michael’s first wife, Karen Cronin.
Bob is also survived by his extended family, which includes great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and close family friends. We may not have met in person very often, but when we did it was like we had never been apart.
Bob’s smile sparkled in his eyes. His laugh was contagious. Bob was funny, witty, and kind with an incredible sense of fairness. While his neurological degenerative illness impaired his ability to move how he wanted, it never diminished his character. Bob sums up his favorite verse in the Bible, Micah 6: 8:… the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He demands of you: to do what is right, to love mercy and humbly walk with you God .
Because of Bob’s love of tennis and the Collins Perley Sports Complex, family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Bob’s life on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Complex, 890 Fairfax Road attend, St. Albans. There is a time for reflection from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Those interested in expressing sympathy are asked to consider the Franklin County Home Health Agency, the Hospice Program, the 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, Vermont 05478, or Martha’s Kitchen, 139 Lake Street, St. Albans, Vermont 05478 pull.
The Heald Funeral Home helps with Bob’s final wishes, where condolences are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.