Obituaries: Msgr. James J. Cronin, Ruth Campbell
by Celeste H. Breitenbach
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on March 5 by Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien for Msgr. James J. Cronin (88) who died at Stella Maris, Timonium, on Feb. 29 from complications of a stroke suffered in 2006.
Known for his Irish wit, the beloved priest was ordained on St. Patrick’s Day in 1945 and assigned to St. Ursula Parish in Parkville where he served as associate pastor for 19 years. In 1964, he was transferred to St. Lawrence and named moderator for the Catholic Youth Organization’s Chi-Rho Council. Named pastor of St. Bernardine in 1967, he coordinated the Urban Commission for the Western Area. In 1970, he accepted a temporary assignment at St. Margaret in Bel Air before being named pastor of St. Isaac Jogues in Carney.
Pope John Paul II named Father Cronin a Prelate of Honor with the title of monsignor in 1982.
Msgr. Cronin officially retired in 1994, but continued performing priestly duties while in residence at St. Joan of Arc, Aberdeen and St. Joseph, Fullerton.
In 2006, the Knights of Columbus Bishop Sebastian Council in Parkville honored Msgr. Cronin, a former chaplain and Council member, at their annual Clergy Night held at St. Isaac Jogues, where a building had been named in his honor.
Msgr. Cronin was born in Glen Falls, N.Y., the fifth of eight children of the late Bernard and Nora Cronin. Two of his brothers became priests; a sister entered the convent. He is survived by his sister Margaret Cronin and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to The St. Isaac Jogues Capital Campaign or to Catholic Relief Services.
Ruth Campbell, a long-time area resident, died on February 10, eight days before her 104th birthday.
After her husband’s death in 1989, she continued to live in the home she built with him and her in-laws in 1951.
A member of Eastern Star and a faithful congregant of Hiss United Methodist Church in Parkville, she regularly attended the 11 a.m. service until she broke her ankle last March.
A member of Hiss U.M. brought Miss Ruth, as she was affectionately called, to church and enjoyed going out to a restaurant afterwards. A fellow church member also recalled taking her to vote in the general election of 2004 because Miss Ruth wanted to vote in person rather than by mail-in ballot.
Pastor Mark Smiley officiated at a Service of Death and Resurrection at Lassahn’s Funeral Home on Belair Rd.