Charles L. Cronin, 78, of Sandpiper Drive, died Thursday, January 26, 2017, at his home. He was the beloved husband of Jennette V. (McFarland) Cronin. They were married for 57 years.
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he was a son of the late Charles L. and Edna (Kodad) Cronin, Sr.
A graduate of Boston College, Charles moved his family to Rhode Island in 1980, but through work found himself back in Marlborough, Massachusetts. After retirement, he and his wife moved back to Rhode Island to be closer to his family and the ocean.
Charles was the Chief Financial Officer for the Raytheon Corporation at several of the company’s major divisions, including Portsmouth, RI, and the corporate headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts. Charles retired after serving as Assistant Controller at the corporate headquarters after devoting more than 40 years to the company.
Among his many philanthropic endeavors, Charles served on the Board of Child and Family Services and also served as treasurer; as chairman of the Newport County Chapter of the American Heart Association; and as Trustee at Newport Hospital. Charles also served as fundraising advisor for the American Diabetes Association, on the Advisory Board of the Bryant College MBA Finance Program and as President of the Board of Directors of the 165 home River Farms Condominium Association.
Charles adored his wife and was a devoted father and grandfather and loved spending time with them. He was an avid woodworker and enjoyed building clocks and made rocking horses and toy boxes for his children and grandchildren. He was passionate about spending time on his boat, the Lady Jan, named for his wife, and was an avid fisherman and loved vacationing with his family at Gooserocks Beach, Kennebunkport, Maine.
In addition to his wife Jennette, he leaves two sons, Dr. Charles L. Cronin, III and his wife Julie of Coventry, RI, John J. Cronin and his wife Christine of Lakeville, MA; five daughters, Jeanne V. Propati of Sicklerville, NJ, Barbara J. Kehew, and her husband David of Portsmouth, RI, Mary E. Nutt and her husband Robert of Saunderstown, RI, Carol A. Cronin of Swansea, MA, and Jennette V. Butterfield and her husband Benjamin of West Warwick, RI; twenty-two grandchildren, and a great grandson. He was the brother of the late Mary Gilgun and Edna Kudaroski.
The funeral will be held Tuesday, at 8:45 am, from the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centerville Road (Rt. 117) Warwick. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Saint Gregory the Great Church, 360 Cowesett Road, Warwick. Burial will be in Saint Columba Cemetery, Middletown. Visiting hours Monday 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to American Cancer Society, 931 Jefferson Blvd. Suite 3004, Warwick, RI 02886 in his memory would be appreciated.
