Daniel Cronin

Daniel Hester Cronin peacefully passed away at the home of his daughter in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, surrounded by loving family, devoted caregivers and family pets. Dan was born July 27, 1922, to the late Mary Eleanor Hester Cronin and Dr. John Stephens Cronin, both of Cleveland. Dan was married to his beloved wife, Betty Beveridge Cronin, for nearly 60 years until her death in 2010. Dan always said he was the " luckiest man alive," having survived a typhoon at sea, five invasions, three rollover car accidents and an auto/train collision. He was an Eagle Scout, a surveyor for Cuyahoga County, attended Ohio University and taught mathematics in the Navy in World War II. When Dan returned from war he was employed by WLS Stamping Company working in engineering and sales. Soon thereafter he became a part owner and was a driving force in expanding operations to Salisbury, North Carolina. In the mid 1980s, Dan became the sole owner of WLS. The Cleveland manufacturing plant operates at its original location to this day. Dan touched everyone he met, profoundly affecting those who knew him well. He had a gentle spirit, a delightful sense of humor, and was generous and loved by all. Troubled by health issues the last decade of his life, he never complained and met each obstacle with determination. Dan's wife, Betty, family and dog, Buddy, were his greatest loves. He will be deeply missed by his daughter, Carol Cronin Barbour and husband Larry, his son Daniel Charles Cronin and wife Julia, and grandchildren, Barrell Barbour Jones and husband Jacob, Charles Beveridge Barbour and wife Emily, Mary Hester Barbour, Laura Cronin Marra and husband Nicholas, James Scott Cronin, Kelly Cronin Juscamaita and husband Ivan, Thomas Van Husen Vail, III, and Robert Powers Vail. At his request, a private internment at Crown Hill Cemetery will be conducted at a later date. The family considers themselves the "luckiest family alive" to have had such a great father and grandfather. A memorial reception will be held at Shaker Heights Country Club, 3300 Courtland Blvd., Shaker Heights, Ohio, at noon on Saturday, March 17th. Contributions in Daniel H. Cronin's name may be made to: Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcolmbe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030, or to the charity of your choice.


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