Bernice Cronin

Bernice Ford Cronin, beloved wife, loving mom, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, Cape Codder, and Fairfielder passed away on June 12th 2026 at her daughter Sue's home in Fairfield, CT. She was 92 years old.

Bea was born in Naugatuck, CT, where she grew up with her beloved mom Hellen (Nellie), her dad Rafael Ford and her brother WIlliam Ford. Her brother Bill had eight children whom mom adored. Her dad owned Ford Pharmacy in town and her grandfather owned the Naugatuck Daily News. She had a wonderful childhood filled with laughter and fun. She was especially close to her mom, Nell, who shared her confectious Irish wit. 

After graduating from highschool, Bea attended Becker College in Worcester, MA, where there wasn't a fun time that she didn't miss. Soon after graduation she headed to Manhattan where she lived on the Upper East Side and worked as a secretary. This was the 1950's and New York was magical for a young spirited woman like her. After her New York adventure Bea moved back to Naugatuck and went to work for Uniroyal. As fate would have it, she met her husband, James A. Cronin, at a company Christmas party. Six months later they were married!

After taking an ocean liner to Europe on a two month honeymoon, Bea had her first child, James. Her daughters Sue and Trish soon followed. The family settled in Bethany, CT in a happy home filled with music, laughter, fun, jitterbugging on the kitchen floor, animals, friends, and family. The family spent summers on Bantam Lake, at a renovated cranberry barn on Cape Cod, winter vacations in their home on Hutchinson Island, FL, and many other family adventures. 

After the children graduated from college, launched their careers and had families of their own, Bea and Jim moved to Cape Cod where they settled into a beautiful home overlooking the Swan River in Dennisport, MA. After twenty years they moved to the Bay Side of the Cape and settled in Barnstable Village. The Cape years were filled with boisterous lobster dinners, spicy Bloody Marys, and spirited political discussions on the back deck overlooking the water while the sun went down. They welcomed a parade of visits by beloved friends and family while Bea made it all happen with seamless grace and fun. She was a fantastic cook and homemaker - she made it all look so easy!

Bea was blessed with a lifelong best friend, Pat McLaughlin, who was like a dear sister to her. They met in their teens and remained very close throughout their lives. Pat's husband, Jim, and their daughters, Erin and Dawn, were intertwined with Bea's family. Big dinners spent laughing and singing songs around the player piano in Weston, CT, Norfolk, VA, Santo Domingo, and St. Michaels, MD were the stuff of legend. They fondly referred to themselves as the Jello Family!

Sadly, after thirty years on the Cape, Jim passed on. Bea then moved to Fairfield, CT to join her daughter, Sue. She went on to successfully craft her final 16 years in Connecticut. While in her eighties, she loved the simple things: sitting by Lake Mohegan or at the marina while having sandwiches with Sue, enjoying her new chapter as an apartment dweller, savoring lobster rolls at Sasco Beach, and snuggling with Sue's rescue pups. She never missed an episode of The Bold and the Beautiful! All along, she loved seeing her family as they came through to visit.

Bea was especially proud of her grand and great grandchildren: Shamus Cronin & wife Karen, their children Jay, Ben, Rose, and Zan; Morgan Rose Rand & her husband Drew, their daughters Vesper, Isla and Florence; Sammy Cronin and her husband Bryan Anders; LT. Patrick Cronin Ryan, USAF; K. Jack Poole, Tommy Poole, and Christian Poole. These beautiful children were the loves of her life. Some of them even have her beautiful red hair! 

Bea was also very close to her daughter in law Judi Cronin and her son in law Kevin Poole, who brought love, light, laughter, and children into her life over several decades. 

Bea's passing leaves a gaping void in the lives of those who knew and loved her. She leaves us with a lasting inspiration of love, laughter, positivity, family, appreciation of dear friends, the happiness of a wonderful marriage, and the enjoyment of the simple things in life. The magic of Cape Cod life has been instilled in generations to come...a beautiful legacy by which to remember her.

There will be a memorial mass for Bea on Saturday, July 11th at 9:30 AM, St. Anthony's of Padua Church, Fairfield, CT. A private burial will follow at St. James Cemetery in Naugatuck with a family luncheon to follow.