ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Karen Bartlett, left, and Beth Watson hold the prizes for “Ralphie’s 12 Days of Christmas” fundraiser, which includes 10 gift cards, a mop and bucket and a gift basket.
By THOMAS GRILLO
LYNN — For the third consecutive year, Christmas will sparkle for more than 100 needy children thanks to the memory of Ralph Cronin.
The city’s late deputy tax collector never met a charity he didn’t embrace, say colleagues. He was the first to donate to any worthy cause, such as providing school supplies for children whose families couldn’t afford them, and he took out his wallet at bake sales to benefit Pop Warner, the youth football organization.
“His heart was huge,” said Beth Watson, a head clerk in the Assessor’s Office.
His generosity led Watson to launch “Ralphie’s 12 Days of Christmas.” The fundraiser is designed to benefit Santa’s Helping Hands, the Lynn nonprofit whose mission is to bring joy to children who need support at the holidays. For a donation of $10, givers get a chance to win gift certificates to local eateries including Tony’s Pub & Grill, Brothers Deli, Rolly’s Tavern on the Square, Lazy Dog Sports Bar, Little River Inn and Lido Cafe. Tickets are available in the Assessor’s office.
Following Cronin’s death in 2014, Watson came up with the idea of a fundraiser and the women in the Assessor’s office agreed. So far, they have raised more than $10,000 for kids who might otherwise go without a gift on Christmas morning.
“It takes a village,” she said.
Cronin, 67, died while skiing with his wife, Linda, on the Oliverian Brook Trail in the New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest.
Cronin was born in Lynn, one of 10 children of Frederick and Bridie (Dunn) Cronin. He grew up in the Pine Hill neighborhood and attended Lynn English High School. Cronin served in the U.S. Army and earned a business degree before going to work for the city where he was employed for 30 years.
In 2011, Ralph was honored as Irishman of the Year by the Friendly Knights of St. Patrick, who deemed him an unsung hero.
Thomas Grillo can be reached at tgrillo@itemlive.com.