Donald Gilbert “Gil” Cronin died peacefully in his home on Saturday October 26, 2019. Born on June 17, 1937 in Nashua, NH to Evelyn LaPointe and Stephen Cronin, Donald Gilbert “Gil” Cronin moved to Worcester at a very young age. The youngest of three, “Gil” watched his as his older brothers, Stephen and Norman, left for World War II and Korea. His admiration for his brothers’ service would later inspire Gil to study History. After his graduation from Worcester South High School, Gil attended Worcester State College, earning a bachelor’s degree. He later earned a Master’s in Education at Worcester State, and during his teaching career he earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies. He began his teaching career at Chandler Jr. High School in Worcester, going on to teach high school at South High School and finally at Doherty High School, spending nearly 40 years in the Worcester Public Schools. At Doherty, Mr. Cronin taught History, Government, and African American Studies. He was a passionate advocate for the teaching of Government, and he lobbied for its inclusion in the curriculum in the face of budget cuts. Gil’s love of government extended outside of the classroom as well. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, Gil’s desire to improve his students’ lives prompted him to campaign on behalf of civil rights and the War on Poverty. During that period, he was a Democratic Ward Chairman, an active member of his teachers’ union, and an organizer for many democratic political candidates. In his later years, Donald’s affiliation with the democratic party waned, but his commitment to social justice remained. He and his wife Joan married on June 24, 1972 and, while raising three children, they became involved in the pro-life movement, joining Massachusetts Citizens for Life and campaigning on behalf of pro-life candidates. Donald’s involvement with the pro life movement was rooted in his genuine love for children and his compassion for those in need. At the age of 82, Gil could still be seen collecting donations for Visitation House. As a teacher at Doherty HS, Gil worked tirelessly to prevent teenagers from drinking and driving as a SADD advisor. In that role, he helped the students through one of Doherty’s darkest times - the mid-eighties- when several of his beloved students were killed in a drinking and driving accident. Gil knew that keeping kids away from poor choices meant giving them good choices. As the Doherty High School Ski Club advisor, Gil helped thousands of Worcester city kids to enjoy his favorite place - Wachusett Mountain. Gil had been introduced to Wachusett Mountain by his wife Joan, and skiing quickly became a large part of his life. When he retired from teaching in 2000, Gil quickly made friends with the Wachusett “Old Timers,” logging hundreds of runs down the mountain slopes each winter. But more importantly, Wachusett became the place where Gil could bond with his family, particularly his grandsons. Gil was actively involved in encouraging his grandsons to ski, just as he had with his own children - Laura, Stephanie and Sean. When Sean grew up to work in the ski industry in Park City, Utah, Gil regaled his friends with stories of his trips out West to “ski country.” An avid sports fan, Gil was an encyclopedia of Patriots lore, and was a Boston College football “superfan.” Gil was a regular supporter of his daughters’ efforts as a cheerleading coach. As a teacher, he coached the Doherty High Ski Race Team, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Doherty Ski Club. Gil was an assistant coach for his son Sean’s baseball and soccer games, and was always on the sidelines at his daughters’ games. Throughout his life, Gil worked second and even third jobs to take care of his family. Gil had amazing energy and worked even into his retirement years. He had part-time employment as a Registrar of Voters, at Purolator Courier, at Sears Service Center, at Spags, at the Mass State Lottery and most recently at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Gil’s family remembers so many “trips with the kids” that were the highlights of Gil’s life. Whether he was taking students on a short field trip or driving a car full of nieces, nephews and his own children all the way up to Mount Snow, Gil was a fun and entertaining chaperone. He gave history lessons to his children on cross country camping trips to California and Florida, and he pointed out New England landmarks on shorter trips across the region. As Gil embarks on his final journey, he leaves behind many family members and friends, including: his beloved wife Joan; his daughter Laura and her fiance Edward J. Thater and their son Thomas Patrick Cronin Thater of Shrewsbury; his daughter K. Stephanie Barbour and his son in law Christopher Barbour and their son Timothy of Holden; his son Sean Cronin and his spouse Amy and their daughter Cora of Park City, Utah. He also leaves his in-laws: Jane Cronin of New Braintree, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Marois of Millbury, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Collins of Paxton, and Mr. and Mrs. Lee York of Belmont as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. Gil was pre-deceased by the following beloved family members: His brothers Norman Cronin and Stephen Cronin; his godson Thomas Cronin; and, of course, his parents and parents-in-law. Calling hours will be held from 4-8 pm on Friday November 1st at Britton Funeral Home in Shrewsbury, MA. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday November 2nd at St, Mary’s Church in Shrewsbury, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Respect Life Committee; 20 Summer Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545; or St. Anne’s Church; Human Services, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.