Walter F. Cronin, of Melrose, died at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers on Jan. 27, 2015 at the age of 73. Walter was born & raised in Somerville and was a graduate of St. Mary's High School in Cambridge. After high school, Walter served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp Reserves. He worked as a Labor Relations Manager for Verizon for over 40 years before his retirement and resided in Melrose for 43 years. Walter enjoyed history, reading, TV, computers, hunting, target shooting and spending time in Essex. He was a handyman who could fix anything, an avid Boston Sports fan, had a quick wit and was selfless & always so kind to others. Walter loved to spend his time with his grandchildren & family. He was the beloved husband of Helen F. (Gibbons) Cronin. Loving father of Leanne C. Berlinsky & her husband Joshua of RI and Nancy C. Reilly & her husband Brian of Cohasset. Cherished grandfather of Rian, Zachary, Nora and Ronan. Caring brother of Helen Cronin of Melrose, Ann Golini & her late husband Benjamin of Brewster, Claire Cronin of Melrose and Madelyn Winn & her late husband William of Somerville. Also survived by many nieces, nephews & close friends. Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Monday Feb. 2nd from 4-8PM. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Tues. Feb. 3rd at 8AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary's Church, Herbert St., Melrose at 9AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Burial in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Contributions may be made to Brigham & Women's Hospital, David E. Herlihy Fund for Interstitial Lung Disease, 116 Huntington Ave., 3rd Flr., Boston, MA 02116-5742 or bwgiving.org.