charles cronin
Charles R. Cronin, former director of marketing at First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union, died October 31, 2021 at Parma, Ohio. He was 88. In his long career, he was a newspaper columnist, public speaker, civic leader and devoted golfer. He served 34 years in Weirton Steel Corporation’s public relations department and was its director between 1978 and 1998. Upon retirement from the steelmaker, he became executive director of Weirton United Way and served in that position until Sept. 2, 2003, when he joined the credit union. He retired from the credit union on April 15, 2017. Born April 8, 1933, he was the son of Gale and Winifred Cronin of Hammondsville, Ohio. He graduated from Irondale High School in 1951 after lettering in football, basketball and baseball. Later as a student at Eastern Kentucky State College, he lettered with the swim team as a 220 yard freestyler. Following 18 months with the U.S. Army’s 7th Infantry Division in Korea, he attended Kent State University. He launched his journalism career in 1957 as a reporter/sports writer with the East Liverpool, Ohio Evening Review. In 1964, he was recruited by Weirton Steel Company and eventually was elevated to Director of Public Relations. Active in civic affairs, he was a member of the Weirton Rotary Club for 30 plus years, was its Man of the Year in 1969, President in 1971-72 and recipient of the club’s “Service Above Self” award in 1974. While employed at the steelmaker, he received the West Virginia Northern Community College’s Citizen of the year in Communications in 1979 and the Award of Excellence in 1986 from the Weirtonian Lodge, Italian Sons and Daughters of America. He was past president of Weirton Junior Achievement, an officer of Weirton’s International Food and Arts Festival and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Weirton Chamber of Commerce. He had minor roles in two movies filmed in Weirton. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Weirton. His wife of 50 years, Delores M. Cronin, passed away on April 20, 2010. Surviving is a son, Richard B. Cronin of Parma, Ohio. Friends will be received 3 - 6 PM Friday at Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton. Burial will be in Spring Hills Cemetery, Wellsville, Ohio, the hometown of his loving wife, at 11AM Saturday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Weirton United Way, 3970 Main St., Weirton, WV. Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com 304-748-3219

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Dear Brad, Please accept my deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers on the loss of your father. I have fond memories of both your parents in our grade school years and interactions at school, the neighborhood and even Cub Scouts. I wish you well in all things…. Sincerely, Stan Tuchalski – Kissimmee, FL

  2. May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time, May you come to know that the love of God is with you always, May your memories of Charles R. Cronin, give you peace, comfort and strength… Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete. I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers to the family of …. US Army Veteran, Charles R. Cronin, is “A True American Hero” God Bless† † Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †

  3. I just want to say how very sad I am about the loss of Mr. Cronin (aka Chuck Cronin). He was my boss for a few years when we worked at the Penco Bldg in the Internal Communications Dept. at Weirton Steel. He was a pleasant, hardworking, dedicated man with a sweet smile–always a gentleman. I enjoyed working for him and knowing him as a good person. I remember him singing at one of our Ladies 25-Year Club dinners at Williams Country Club many years ago. It was quite funny and enjoyable. I think the last time I saw him was at one of my co-worker’s daughter’s wedding. He sat at our table and we reminisced and had a good visit. He was complimentary as usual. As Wolf Blitzer says on TV, “May he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing.” Glad I shared some of those memories. Linda Guz


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

  1. Candle Selection 1
  2. Candle Selection 2
  3. Candle Selection 3
  4. Candle Selection 4
  5. Candle Selection 5
  6. Candle Selection 6
  7. Candle Selection 7
  8. Candle Selection 8