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.
Visiting will be held at GOLUBSKI FUNERAL HOME, 5986 Ridge Rd., Parma, Ohio 44129, Wednesday, November 3, 2021 from 5- 8 P.M.
Visiting will be held at Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home in Weirton, West Virginia on Friday, November 5, from 3-6 P.M.
Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery in Wellsville, Ohio, Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 11 A.M., the hometown of his loving wife.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Weirton United Way, 3970 Main St. Weirton, W VA. 26062.
