 |
Stanley F. 'Fred' Cronk North Battleford, SK Canada QCWA # 24770 |
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Stanley Frederick Cronk. He lived a fruitful life and died peacefully at age 95.
Known as Fred, this fearless man was an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word, curious about many subjects that emerged in his life as careers, businesses and hobbies.
An early interest in the piano established a life-long love of classical music but his attention was drawn to aircraft and electronics with the outbreak of WWII; he enlisted in the Air Force as a radio operator.
Losing brother Gavin, a pilot whose plane was shot down over Belgium in 1944, was a blow to Fred, his sister Thelma and their parents Amy and Garnett.
Fred worked for an airline after the war, married and fathered his only child Marilyn before returning to North Battleford.
His first venture, an electronics store, flourished with the introduction of colour TV. Later he branched into music and real estate, finding his way to bee farming in his early 50s. Fred worked at this strenuous career for 30 years until age finally interfered with his attempts to lift 90 pound supers of honey.
Fred will be sadly missed by daughter Marilyn Rivers, grandson Allan Bayntun [wife Sandy Hsu] and great-grand-daughter Satomi. He is survived by Thelma's sons David [Midge] Levson, Dan [Evelyn] Levson, Phil [Sherry Dahl] Levson, and Victor [Barb] Levson as well as their 14 offspring and 14 great grandchildren who will all miss "Uncle Fred's" quick mind and brilliant wit.
Fred is pre-deceased by his brother Gavin in 1944 and in 2010 by his sister Thelma Levson.
A gathering will be held in Fred's honour at FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 - 4 Street NW, Calgary (across from Queen's Park Cemetery) on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. All who treasured this engaging man are welcome to come and share stories in his honour. A Memorial Service will be held at FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL, on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. All are welcome. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.