Daniel J. Cronin, age 87, passed away on May 20, 2020 at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born on March 29, 1933 in Worcester, MA to Michael and Mary Cronin. He was a resident at Devonshire living at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens after residing at Delray Dunes Golf & Country Club in Boynton, FL for 18 years. He resided at his home in Bethany, DE during the summer months.

He is survived by four daughters, two grandchildren and his brother: Daniele Cronin & husband Joseph Tewes, Frederick, MD; Laura Donatelli, Aiken, SC; Christy Cronin & husband Michael Vito, Potomac, MD & Bethany, DE; Kathleen Cronin, Delray, FL; 2 grandchildren, Coleen Cronin and Augustine Donatelli and his brother Bernard Cronin and his wife Helen, Boynton, FL. In addition, family friend Gary Baldwin, Silver Spring, MD as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Hope Ward Cronin in 2015.

Dan grew up in Worcester, MA and graduated from Worcester Junior College and then attended Boston University.

From 1953-1956 Dan served in the U.S. Army National Service Agency and the White House Communications Agency as a Cryptographer. This was during President Eisenhower's administration. Dan served on his Security Detail which included traveling with the President.

Upon discharge, he joined Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Washington, D.C. Then in 1960 he opened Cronin Insurance Company which he ran for 10 years.

In 1966 Dan was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates as a representative of Montgomery County where he served on the Ways & Means Committee & Subcommittee on Transportation & Airports. He initiated several tax measures, many of which were enacted into law.

In 1970 Dan was appointed by President Nixon to the position of Assistant Deputy Director for Operations across the U.S. He was instrumental in the passage through Congress of the 1971 Amendments of the Military Selective Service Act.  He also served as a U.S. representative to NATO.

Then in 1973 he was promoted by the President to Assistant Director of the U.S. General Services Administration where he directed and coordinated the policies, plans and programs for general war and conflict preparedness.

In 1977 upon retiring from government service, Dan founded Turn-Key Management based in Bethesda, MD which is a marketing and services company providing products and services to the U.S. Military Commissaries & Bases in the U.S. & overseas. In 1996 Dan sold his company & retired to a life of family, friends, golf and card playing.

Dan continued his life-long hobbies of imbuing himself in politics and business. He served on various boards including Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD; Delray Dunes Golf & Country Club in Boynton Beach, FL and the Bethany library board in Bethany, DE.

"Dan Dan" as he is fondly called by his grandchildren and immediate family will be missed by his many friends and family.

The family will hold a Memorial Service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 4200 Harewood Road NE, Washington, D.C. 20017. To donate online, please click here.

Letters of condolences may be sent to Lorne & Sons Funeral Home and will be forwarded to the family.