1922 – 2013

AUBURN — Joseph S. Cronin, 91, of Montello Heights retirement community and formerly of 25 Manning Ave., Lewiston, died Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, following a short illness.

Born on Feb. 8, 1922, the son of Eugene J. and Flora Somers Cronin, he was educated in Lewiston schools, at Bowdoin College and Harvard Business School. During World War II, he served three years as a U.S. Navy officer and was stationed in England.

He was chairman of the board of directors of Federal Distributors Inc., in Lewiston, where he previously served as president for 62 years. Over a period of 15 years, he served on the board of directors of three local banks and the board of directors of one statewide bank-holding company. He served three years on the 12-member national Wholesaler Advisory Panel representing 960 Anheuser-Busch wholesalers and served as the state of Maine wholesaler representative on the Anheuser-Busch panel on industry and government affairs.

His 67 years of beverage industry legislative monitoring is the longest in the Maine beer industry. He served on the original 10-member Wholesaler Advisory Council of United Vintners, the nation’s second-largest winery at that time. He was a member of the board of directors of Maine Recycling Corporation.

Joseph was a member of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston. He enjoyed traveling, theater, fine dining, reading, statistical analysis, 67 years of legislative monitoring and visiting with family members and friends.

He is survived by his brother, Paul B. Cronin, of St. Simons Island, Ga.; three nephews, John E. Cronin of Auburn, Eugene J. Cronin III of Swartz Creek, Mich., and Stephen B. Cronin of Kennesaw, Ga.; and a niece, Patricia C. Spellman, of Florida. Also surviving are several great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother in 1927 and his father in 1971; in 1979, by his brother, Eugene J. Cronin Jr., of Melbourne, Fla.; and in 2005, by his stepmother, Paulette B. Cronin, of Lewiston.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.albert-burpee.com.