Avid Bruins and Red Sox fan, devoted father and grandfather
MELROSE — Gerald Joseph Cronin passed away at age 85 peacefully on his terms on August 1 after a brief illness leaving behind his loving and devoted family.
Gerry, or more importantly Papa Gerry, was a lifelong Melrosian and a devoted Bruins and Red Sox fan. He had resided in Saugus in recent years only out of necessity.
He is now reunited with the love of his life of 58 years, Ellen (Waystack) Cronin. He was the strong and loving father of Deborah Cronin-Waelde and her husband Richie, James Cronin & his wife Karen and Kevin Cronin and his wife JulieAnne. He is the proud and beloved Papa Gerry to Kerrianne and Andrew Pippy, Megan & Dillon Martin, Amanda and Keith McKenney, Hanna and Ryan Fay, Johnathan and Lindsay Cronin, Molly Cronin and her partner Aidan O’Connell and Kara Cronin. He is the loving Great Grandfather of 10, Liam & Rory Pippy, Landon, Layne and Layla Martin, Grace, Logan and Julian McKenney, Eloise Fay and Emilia Cronin.
Gerry was the loving son of the late Francis and Eleanor Cronin and the brother of John and Sandra Cronin of Melrose and the late George Cronin. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. He will always hold a special place in his heart for Catherine Cronin of Melrose and Timothy Cronin of Reading.
Important to him were the many friends he had in many places who we know will miss his quick wit, one liners, ability to help wherever and whenever, a shared cold beer, scratch ticket or Keno number.
He left this world very much at peace, watching his Red Sox make a run at it having lived a full and noble life surrounded by so many who loved him. He is now raising his own Stanley Cup as a true life Hall of Famer.
Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at St. Mary’s Church, 4 Herbert St., Melrose at 10 a.. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Burial will follow the Mass at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. At the request of Gerry, jackets and ties are not required and shorts and a favorite shirt are acceptable. Friends and family are respectfully welcome.
At the request of the family in lieu of flowers donations could be made in memory of Gerald Cronin to the Mass General Hospital for Children at mghdevelopment@partners.org or to the Sawtelle House, 320 Haverhill St., Reading, MA 01867.
To sign online condolence, visit www.gatelyfh.com