Victim of the 1918 influenza pandemic.

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Rev. Father Cronin, Wairarapa Age, 25 November 1918, p 4, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAG19181125.2.17:

The Rev. Father Cronin, parish priest at Carterton, died from pneumonia on Sunday morning. The deceased, who was 32 years of age, had been in New Zealand four or five years, and was for some time curate at Masterton. He had been under medical treatment for several days.

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Wellington's Martyr Priests, New Zealand Tablet, 28 November 1918, p 22, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZT19181128.2.33:

It is our mournful duty to record the deaths of three young priests of the Archdiocese of Wellington. Over a week ago Father Thomas Kinkead died of pneumonia at the Catholic Presbytery, Taihape. On Monday a wire from Archbishop O'Shea informed us that Father Daniel Cronin, parish priest of Carterton, died on Sunday; and a few minutes later another wire from Monsignor McKenna, V.G., reached us announcing that Father Lewis died on Sunday night at Featherston camp. Father Kinkead and Father Cronin came to New Zealand about eight years ago, in company with Father Dore, who died a few months ago as a result of wounds received in Gallipoli. Father Kinkead was for some years curate in Feilding. Later he was in charge of the new parish of Marton, whence he was transferred to Carterton. From Carterton he went away as chaplain to the Forces and was on active service for over twelve months. On his return to New Zealand he was appointed to the parochial charge of Taihape, where he died among a people who loved him, a martyr to duty, and an exemplary priest. Father Cronin was for some years curate in Westport. Later he was curate in Feilding. When Father Dore went to Gallipoli, Father Cronin took charge of the parish of Foxton. After a year in charge of Feilding in Father O'Dwyer's absence he was appointed parish priest of Carterton, where, like his old friend Father Kinkead in Taihape, he gave up his life willingly for the sake of his afflicted flock. In their quiet way they were no less heroes than their companion, Father Dore, to whom death has now united them. Father Lewis, a nephew of the late Vicar-General of Wellington, was one of the youngest priests in the Dominion. He was ordained over a year ago, and after doing brief temporary duty in Patea and the King Country, was transferred to Masterton as curate to Monsignor McKenna. Wellington has thus lost four sterling young priests in a short time; and it is a loss that is not easily replaced. All four were energetic workers and worthy servants of the Master Who called them from their far home in Ireland to labor in this Dominion. To their superiors, to their brother priests, and to their friends at home and abroad we offer our deep sympathy.—R.I.P.

[We regret that owing to the irregularity of the postal service we are unable to give a detailed account of the deaths of these lamented priests this week. Ed. N.Z. Tablet.]

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The Late Father Daniel Cronin, Carterton, New Zealand Tablet, 19 December 1918, p 37, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZT19181219.2.75:

An esteemed correspondent kindly supplies the following particulars regarding the lamented death of Father Cronin, of Carterton, a brief reference to which sad event was made in the Tablet issue of November 28:—

The late Father Daniel Cronin was born on October 9, 1886, at Ballybrack, Firies, Co. Kerry, Ireland. He studied at St. Kieran's, Kilkenny, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1910. He arrived in N.Z. in January, 1911, and was appointed successively assistant at Masterton, Westport, Feilding, Foxton, again at Feilding, and finally parish priest of Carterton. In all these places he did great work for the parishes generally and for schools. Father Cronin was particularly devoted to forming catechism classes, and taught catechism himself every day in the school. He established these classes in Greytown, Featherston, and Martinborough, and visited them weekly. At midnight on Sunday, November 10, Father Cronin was called to a patient at Martinborough, who was attacked by influenza. He contracted the disease himself, yet said Mass on the following morning, though barely able to stand, and was compelled to go to bed immediately after Mass. In a day or two he developed pneumonia. Medical aid was at once called in, but notwithstanding the attention of the doctor and the devoted nursing of the Brigidine Nuns, he gave up his pure soul to God on Sunday morning, November 24, at 10 o'clock. Rev. Dr. Geaney, of Greenmeadows, and Father Outtrim, of Wellington, were in constant attendance on him, and his death, though very painful, was a most happy one. The interment took place next day (Monday) at 3 o'clock in the Clareville Cemetery. The Right Rev. Mgr. McKenna, V.G., officiated, there being present also Father Harnett, of Patea (who motored all night to be present at the funeral of his dear friend and classmate), and Father Outtrim. Rev. Mr. Young, Anglican minister, Carterton, and all the leading parishioners of Carterton and the Lower Valley were in attendance. His lonely grave in Clareville will be frequently visited by the children who loved him, and by his many friends. Being of a retiring disposition, Father Cronin did not come prominently before the parishioners, but those who learned to know him through the children, loved and esteemed him for his kindness to the little ones, and his charity to the poor, the sick and distressed. A passionate lover of his native land, it was his intention to visit, at the first opportunity, her green shores once more and so rejoice the lonely heart of his widowed mother, but God otherwise decreed, and called him to Himself. May he rest in peace.