The outpouring of love and shared memories in the wake of CJ Cronin’s death is a testament to the extraordinary life he lived.
CJ, who died on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at just 20 years old, leaves behind a legacy of friendship, determination, and joy that touched everyone he met.
He was a multi-sport athlete at Minnechaug Regional High School where he graduated in 2022. At the time of his death, he was in his junior year at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business in Boston, his dream school.
CJ is survived by his parents, Christopher and Pam, and his two sisters, ages 22 and 16, who also share his love for sports. His passing has left a deep void in his community, but the love and laughter he gave lives on.
A multi-sport student athlete with a big heart
CJ was not only known for his athleticism but also for his remarkable kindness and humility.
A standout in football, basketball, and track, he became an All-Western Mass. wide receiver as a junior before his senior season was cut short by a torn ACL. Despite his injury, he remained a constant presence on the sideline, supporting teammates with his trademark humor and unwavering encouragement.
“He was just a great teammate to everyone,” former teammate and close friend, Josh Kozub, said, “regardless of whether he was on the field or he was making the plays or not.”
Another teammate and friend, James Jolicoeur, described CJ as someone who “was always himself,” adding that “he affected everyone in a positive way, and you could never hear anyone say a bad thing about him.”
CJ’s presence was unforgettable both on and off the field, he quickly became the emotional core of the team.
“CJ was like a light,” Ryan McConnel, another close friend, said. “He definitely brought that energy and was one of the funniest people that I’ve known and all of us have ever known. He was just a comedic relief, as well as someone that you could lean on and talk to.”
His love for learning and adventure led him to Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business, where he majored in business and pursued a passion for film through a minor.
CJ’s talent for storytelling and comedy found a home at a Boston comedy club where he worked while balancing academics. During his freshman year, he studied abroad in Scotland at the University of Glasgow, where he played on the school’s basketball team and forged lifelong friendships.
“During COVID, when some players didn’t want to keep competing, CJ was right behind me,” Minnechaug football coach Nickerson said. “He really was a person that just wanted to make people’s life better.”
But his generous spirit shone brightest in the way he cared for his family.
For his mother’s 50th birthday last year, CJ gave her large, framed photos of each of her children — a heartfelt gift she continues to treasure. His father fondly remembered when CJ saved up money to surprise him with a snowblower while away in Scotland, knowing he would need help clearing snow after injuring his arm.
To Cronin Sr., CJ’s strength of character and selflessness were a source of profound admiration.
“I was always in awe of him,” Cronin Sr. said. “He’s a better version of me. I am in awe of the things that he could do that I couldn’t.”
Photo submitted by Christopher Cronin Sr.Meadow Barrow
A community united in grief
Two days after his passing, more than 20 friends arrived at the Cronin family home bearing flowers, food, and a poster board filled with photos of CJ and his friends.
As they sat together, sharing stories and comforting one another, the weight of their loss was softened by the warmth of community.
“It was really a comforting time in such a time of despair for us,” Cronin Sr. said. “So, we’re thankful to all those young men that came over and did that for us.”
The sheer magnitude of CJ’s impact was evident at his burial, where hundreds of mourners traveled more than 30 minutes from the funeral site to pay their respects.
“The priest that did the burial, he had been working that site for over 15, 20 years, and he said that he had never seen that many people venture over to a burial site, which kind of just shows the impact he had and how much people wanted to be there for not only him, but his family,” Kozub said.
Honoring his legacy
Minnechaug football is working to honor CJ’s legacy with a scholarship in his name, special helmet decals, and a return of the “Wacky Hat Day” tradition he loved.
To contribute to the memorial scholarship in CJ’s honor, please send a check to WHSF, PO Box 441, Wilbraham, MA 01095, with “CJ Cronin” written in the memo.
For other payment methods, donors can visit the Wilbraham Hampden Scholarship Foundation website, click the donate online link, and include “CJ Cronin” in the message section.
