Cronin succeeded John J. Cain in the Democratic primaries and went on to win the general election for mayor of Bayonne, New Jersey.
Most notably, he was responsible in improving Bayonne's water supply during his term.
He ran for a second term as Bayonne's mayor but ultimately lost to Bert J. Daly in the democratic primaries.
His funeral mass was held at St. Vincent's Roman Catholic Church in Bayonne.
He was interred at the Holy Cross Cemetery, a Roman Catholic cemetery located at 3620 Tilden Avenue, East Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York City.