October 11, 1947 – February 3, 2026

     Edward James Cronin passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 3, 2026.

     He was born in Summit, NJ on October 11, 1947, to William Francis Cronin Sr. and Helen M. Hummer Cronin.  Ed was raised in Millburn and resided in Berkeley Heights, NJ for the last 50 years.

     A member of the Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA), Ed was a Millburn firefighter for 30 years until his retirement in 2002.  More recently, he worked as a school crossing guard for the township of Berkeley Heights, coming full circle, if you think about it, from his 6^th grade service at Washington Elementary School as a member of their 1959-1960 Safety Patrol.  In 1972, Ed married Antonia Marie De Francesco of Elizabeth, NJ.  They would celebrate 53 years together.

     Ed enjoyed his daily tea and crossword puzzles, listening to music, golfing, watching the Yankees and Giants.  But most especially he enjoyed the time he spent with his family.  There were dinners with his wife and friends, trips to Atlantic City, Saratoga, and Mohegan Sun, and summers at the Jersey Shore.  He took great pleasure in attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and plays, driving up and down 95 to Rhode Island for family events, and being helpful in any way he could.  A loving and wonderful man known affectionately as “Poppy” to his grandchildren, Ed will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

     Ed was predeceased by his parents and brother, William Cronin Jr.  In addition to his wife Toni, he is survived by his daughter Carolyn Sanders (David) of Smithfield, Rhode Island; son, Edward Cronin Jr. (Melissa) of Park Ridge, NJ; grandchildren Jessica and Samantha Sanders and Emily and Michael Cronin; and brother and sister-in-law James and Jackie (De Francesco) Glackin of Millburn.

     In the words of some of his friends’ remembrances ~ “He was the kind of guy who you couldn’t help but smile when you think of him … kindest, genuine, loving, great all around person … not enough words to describe the warm and generosity of this man … billion dollar smile … a true humble, strong and loving man”