James Henry Cronce

James Henry Cronce Sr, age 86 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at the Hunterdon Care Center in Flemington NJ. Born in Flemington, NJ on May 6, 1933, he was the son of the late Henry and Frances (Kohl) Cronce. Jim was a 1951 graduate of Flemington High School, a United States Army veteran, carpenter, farmer, and avid gardener. He retired from the Hunterdon Central/Flemington-Raritan school district, where he had served as Transportation Supervisor for over 25 years. He was a trustee for many years of the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum in Lambertville NJ. Jim was an active member of the community, always willing to help a neighbor or friend, to share his knowledge and life-experience with others, as well as tackle new skills. Self-taught as a carpenter, a home-builder, and a farmer in a time long before the internet made DIY easy, he relied on a network of friends to acquire the skills and knowledge to do-for-himself and his family. He will be remembered as the hardest working man who always took the time to talk to others, and offer a hand or helpful suggestions. On the family farm he built, he led a sustainable life, long before that concept was popular. In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his son, Jeffrey Cronce in 2008. Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Patricia (Bryan) Cronce and his six children: Jim Cronce, Jr. of Raritan Township, NJ; Bill Cronce of Lebanon, VA; Judy Theobald of Milford, NJ; Pam Stewart of Green Lane, PA; Marianne Schaller of Moorestown, NJ; and Cindy Binder of Armonk, NY; nine grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. He is also survived by three sisters: Ann Lamendola of Raritan Township, NJ; Mary Fazekas of Poland, NY; and Nancy Ainslie of Connersville, IN. Graveside services will be held Saturday, October 17, 2020, at 11:00 AM in St. Magdalen Cemetery, Flemington, NJ, under the direction of Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington NJ. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 (www.alz.org). For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.