Stamford Says Goodbye to Assistant Police Chief Cronin

Dozens of uniformed police officers joined lined up outside the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home Monday afternoon to say goodbye to one of Stamford’s finest – a man friends and co-workers say had nine lives. Assistant Chief of Police Francis “Frank” Cronin, 66, died on March 25 after a decades-long battle with cancer.

The former head of the Internal Affairs Unit at the Stamford Police Department, Cronin was made an assistant chief in April 2010 when Chief Robert Nivakoff took over the department.

One of Cronin’s fellow officers, Sgt. Robert Shawinsky, told Patch Cronin didn’t let his illness stop him from his police work and had a strong will to live. “He fought cancer for over 16 years and is the only person I know that received last rites 12 times,” he said. “We used to call him the guy with nine lives.”

Cronin went into remission multiples times since he was first diagnosed with cancer 17 years ago. He was highly respected by members of the police department and greater community for his combination of fairness and compassion as an officer of the law.

“He was a very good police officer; he was a cop’s cop,” Shawinsky added. “He was a really good, dedicated officer. He used to tell us, ‘When you arrest someone, treat them good because it’s someone else’s child.’ He was very well-liked by the community because he was always very fair.”

Stamford residents Ronnie and Mike Wiederlight expressed their condolences to the family online Monday.

“His genuine concern for others, his compassion and his deep commitment to our City and keeping it safe, will always be remembered," the Wiederlights said in a memorial guest book. "We will personally remember him for his incredible personality and the positive way in which he viewed life.”

Well-loved not only in Stamford, Shawinsky told Patch the department expects about 150 police cars from around the state to be part of tomorrow morning's funeral procession.

A Boston native, Cronin served in the U.S. Navy in the Submarine Division. Francis served the City of Stamford for 37 years; he was promoted to assistant chief of police in April 2010. He also served as chairman of the Stamford Police Pension Board.

Cronin, the son of Timothy and Lillian Cronin, was born and raised in Boston. He graduated Boston Latin High School and received his Bachelor of Arts from Iona College.  

Cronin is survived by his wife of 41 years, Louise Lupinacci Cronin, two daughters Christine Mayer and her husband Michael and Eileen Tufts and her husband Ryan, and his two sons Brian Cronin and Sean Cronin. He also leaves behind his two sisters, Lillian Booras and Kathleen McGilvray and her husband Russell.

Calling hours will be March 28 from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Leo P. Gallagher and Son Funeral Home, 2900 Summer St. A Mass of Christian burial will be held March 29 at 10 a.m. at the Basilica of at 279 Atlantic St. Burial will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to The Carl and Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center at 30 Shelburne R.,  Stamford, CT 06904 or The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at 383 Main Avenue 5th Floor Norwalk, CT 06851. To offer condolences online, please visit www.leopgallagherstamford.com.