     We met when we were both 16 years old at my girlfriend Jeannie's 16th birthday party.  He made quite an impression on me, my Mom told me the next day that I couldn't stop talking about him.  That hasn't changed in 51 years.  We dated for 5 years while we got to know and love each other better.  We also got to know and love each other's good friends.  When we married in 1973, we asked those friends to honor us by being in our wedding party.  We have remained friends with them ever since!
     Through the next 45 years we shared the lows (bickering over petty issues, the inability to conceive, and the death of loved ones) and the highs (Tommy joining the Nassau County Police Dept., moving into our forever home, and the greatest joy of all, the arrival of our most precious daughter, Carolyn).  Anyone who knew us for more than a short time knows that we did not always agree on everything, but the one thing on which we were in absolute agreement was the love and pride we had in Carolyn.  The most important days in our lives were the day we met, the day we married, the day Carolyn finally arrived home and the day we were privileged to see Carolyn marry the love of her life, Jorge.   The worse day in our lives was the day all our family gathered around as Tommy breathed his last.  Three-fourths of our lives were spent together.  When Tommy died a part of me died with him.  Only my strong belief that we will be reunited once more in the future brings me comfort.
     For now, all I can do is to spoil Carolyn's and Jorge's child with extreme extravagance as Tommy would.  I will make sure the baby knows what a great Grandpa he/she has.  I know Tommy is watching out for all of us.  You will always be my Tommy.  Until we met again, love, hugs and kisses!! Your loving wife, Carol
     

What can I say about Tom Cronogue that hasn't already been said so eloquently by all that knew him and loved him?  Yes he was a leader of many.  Yes he was a friend to everyone he met.  He was a loving husband and the model of a loving father.  He could make you smile and laugh when all you wanted to do was cry and be alone.  He was everything to everyone.  To me he was first my Chief, then my mentor, my friend and finally my brother. As with all brothers we had our share of great times and some that were not.  I learned from him friendship, forgiveness, generosity, responsibility, humility and how to be humble but not a pushover.  He taught me everything I know about EMS and being a leader.  He was my savior on September 11th (if you know me you know the story).  Everything I have attained at WWHAC was a result of his fine tutelage.  How grateful I am to him.  I was honored to be able to help him in his last few days.  Very few words were said because we both couldn't bring ourselves to say them.  The look and tears in our eyes said volumes.  Many years ago you said to me, "if I could give you the keys to the place tomorrow I would."  Years later I have those "keys".  I hope I make you proud.  Thank you Tom for everything.  Rest easy we'll take it from here.


So words. Where do I get the words. Today we lost one of the most caring, funny, and generous men that walked this earth.  Tom Cronogue.  You were my teacher from day 1 of EMT-CC school over 15 years ago.  We automatically clicked, and we were like peas and carrots from there on out.  As my supervisor, you gave me my first job at Deer Park right out of class.  You spent years, mentoring and molding me into the technician and boss I am today.  You taught me the most important aspect of EMS was its all about the patient and never about us. Eventually I got the privilege and honor to fill your shoes at Deer Park, carrying on the legacy and empire we built as a family.  Till this day I still use your "Tommy-isms" on almost every call.
     Tommy, you were always like a second father to me.  When I lost my dad in 2011, you were right there for me, telling me how you'll take the responsibility from there, and you never went back on that promise.
     Funny, I used to hate country music. Tommy changed that. He took me to my first Sugarland concert and it was amazing. We would travel all over the country to see Sugarland and man did we have a blast. Let's not talk about the time my tooth fell out in the 81 car on the way home from Maryland.
     Tommy always accepted me for who I was no matter what. When I came out, he rallied the troops and it was off to  gay bar for karaoke. I'll never forget when you ordered a rye and ginger from the questionable gendered barkeep. Hysterical!
     We would occasionally venture to other states for phony bologna EMS conferences. Everyone knew we were just going for a good time. Just image Tommy and I driving around Philly in old 80 car, stopping to ask every single street walker where the Rocky statue was. Thank god he was always armed with what he called his "polio brace"
     Tommy. I am gonna miss you big guy. Thank you so much for so many wonderful memories. I will cherish them until we meet again, and we can laugh at them together. My only saving grace from this tragedy is that I know you and Tina are gonna be watching my every move. I just wish I had the magic phone to call heaven and ask for you advice.  Love you always.




Today we laid an amazing man with a heart of gold to rest, Tom Cronogue. He will be forever missed and loved. He was more of an uncle to me than a friend. I will always remember going to the base with my husband. I would see Tom's eyes light up when he saw me and he would give me the biggest  hug. When me and my husband would leave Tom would always say, "love ya". When Ronnie proposed to me and we told Tom that we were engaged, he was overjoyed with excitement for us. We got married in 2010. Then in 2012 we found out we were pregnant with our first child and when uncle Tommy found out he was happy and excited for us. We found out we were having a girl and when she was born he was excited to meet our little Gabriella. When we brought her down to the base Uncle Tommy took Gabby out of her seat and just hugged her and kissed and told her that everything is going to be ok that Uncle Tommy was there to protect her and she gave him the biggest smile. That was the first time we ever saw our little girl smile. I am saddened that he will never get a chance to do that we our son. He only got to meet our son once when he was a week old. But I know Uncle Tommy will always be with us and our kids. He loves kids. He had a soft spot in his kind heart for kids. Uncle Tommy you were the most kindhearted caring people I know with a heart of gold. Please continue to watch over us and be with my kids. May you rest in eternal light. I hope you are flying high with the angels watching over everyone who loved and cared for you. Thank you for everything you have done for us. I will now end the memorable story with one of Uncle Tommy's favorite says, "love ya babies".

It was a pleasure to know Tom Cronogue, AKA Dad.  To be taught by him and cared for like a daughter.  He will be missed!!!!

As I read these posts about Tom, I feel the need to share my encounters with him.  As an EMS mom, my son worked for Tom at DPFD.  Michael and his partner were in an ambulance accident.  Thankfully, Michael and Rosie were ok but the compassion this man showed when he called me, assured me all would be ok and waited for me at the hospital, was like the crew were his own kids and I was family.  Such a caring, loving man.  As with all of you, he and Michael kept in touch and I saw him on Michael's Facebook page countless times.  He truly was an angel and now, he's looking down from heaven on all he mentored and, I'm sure, going to keep to keep them safe.  RIP Tom. You have touched so many lives.  You will truly be missed by all! 

My father was many things to many people, teacher, mentor, friend, and father figure.  To me, he was the best daddy anyone could ever have!  
My father passed away around 4pm on 7/16/18 with my grandparents, my mom, my husband and myself at his side at their home.  With the saving grace, minutes before he took his last breath,  one of our friends, Thomas Sansone from Great River FD came over to see how my dad was doing.  I think God sent him at that particular moment to make sure we did not have to ensure he passed.  This friend was calm, cool, and collected while the rest of us dealt with this sudden void.
We are so grateful for everyone's amazing stories that have been posted on my father's FB wall, and for everyone that has reached out to us, not only now, but over the last few weeks.  We may not have been able to respond back to you yet, but please know it warms our hearts that so many people are willing to drop everything at a moments notice to help, just as my Dad had always done for so many others throughout his life. 
Daddy, I will always be your Brownie and Cupcake!!

Speechless. Absolutely no words can describe the kind of man Tommy was. My friend; you are in a better place lighting up the room with your one of a kind sense of humor and embracing so many with one of the biggest hearts anyone could ever have. Tommy thank you for always having my back and thank you for being a friend. Rest in Paradise brother. You will always be missed. 

I’ve never had an encounter with you that didn’t leave me smiling. Your sense of humor was like no other. My prayers to your family from mine.  My heart smiles knowing that you will be in heaven with my son. God bless the Cronogue family.  May our Heavenly Father send comfort at this difficult time. 

Our deepest Sympathy on the loss of Tommy.  He was a good friend and I always appreciated working together with him in the Town of Babylon Fire and Rescue Service. Tommy was always there to help and really put his heart into everything he did.  I always looked forward to taking a EMT class given by Tommy,  he always made them interesting,  informative and a pleasure to attend.
Tom was truly a gentleman and will be sorely missed.



Thinking of you at this difficult time. Tommy’s sense of humor continues to live in all of us. Had a MILLION laughs with him. All our love.

Pete and Marie Timinelli 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Tommy Cronogue

29 juillet 1951 – 16 juillet 2018

Claude R. Boyd - Caratozzolo Funeral Home

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