CRONK, ROBERT WILLIAM (BOB) - Robert William Cronk (Bob) passed away on May 23, 2013 at the age of 79 with his loving family by his side at the Dartmouth General Hospital. He was the Son of the late William and Loretta (Carmichael) Cronk. Bob was a graduate of Saint John High School, and following his graduation, he worked for Fairbanks Morse and then joined International Harvester in 1953. He began his career with International Harvester as an Office Worker but was promoted in time to Zone Manager. In the years following that promotion, he was transferred with his family to Bathurst, NB, St. John's, NL, Dartmouth, NS, North Bay, Ont, Chatham, Ont, and Moncton, NB, finally returning to Dartmouth, NS in 1976. He was Branch Manager of the North Bay, Chatham and Moncton locations and upon his move back to the Dartmouth area, he became Owner/Manager of the highly successful Burnside International Trucks and was much loved and respected by his staff. He retired in 1996. During his distinguished career with International Harvester, he was President of the Canadian Dealer Association (Navistar) and Vice President of the North American Heavy Duty Truck Advisory Board. Bob and his Dad had a love of Model T Fords and restored many old Model T's in his father's garage. Bob was also an avid Curler from a very young age and curled up until February of this year. He was involved with Junior Achievement and was a past member of the Rotary Club. He was also a friend of Bill W. Bob loved to garden at his beloved Camp in Saint John, NB and had extensive vegetable gardens and orchards and was a life long gardening guide to his loving Daughter Barbara and Niece Linda. Surviving are his Wife, Suzanne (Fox) Cronk, Daughters, Jean Ann Goodwin (Mike Poole) and Barbara Cronk (Mike Dennis), Sons, Glenn Cronk (Liz Snelgrove) and Thomas Cronk (Karen Reid). He is also survived by his Grandchildren, Julie Gaudet (Mike), Andrea Besaw (Ryan), Aaron Goodwin (Kelly), Lauren and Ben Cronk, Alexis and Jack Robert Cronk, Great grandchildren, Caleigh Goodwin, Nolan and Claire Besaw, Jack and Hannah Gaudet, his loving Sister, Nancy (Jack LeRoy) and Nancy's four Children, Loretta, Linda, Bill and Cathy, and several Great Nieces and Nephews, and Brother in-law and Sister in-law, Sandra and Don Bishop and their family. His family would like to personally thank his loving Sister, Nancy, Nursing Staff at the Dartmouth General and Dr. K. Cameron for their compassion and care.
A Celebration of his life will be held at Atlantic Funeral Homes, 771 Main Street, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on Thursday, May 30th at 2:00 pm. Cremation has taken place and interment at Fern Hill Cemetery in Saint John, NB will take place later this summer. Family Flowers only. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Charity of choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting:
www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com, Dartmouth Chapel