Dr. John Charles Cronhelm, MB BCh BAO, FRCP(C)

March 9, 1931 to June 23, 2019

Obituary

John was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, graduated in medicine from Queens University, Belfast (1955), and immigrated to Canada in 1957. He served as a surgical resident at St. John’s General Hospital and then went to St. Anthony to work for the Grenfell Mission. He then changed his focus to Anesthesiology as the need in Northern Newfoundland was great. He completed a residency in anesthesiology over several years, completing an exam in Dublin and study periods in Montreal and various locations in the UK. In St. Anthony, John met Wendy (neé Clegg) a nurse from England. They married in 1961 and raised four children together. John worked at the hospital in St. Anthony for over 35 years, both in anesthesiology and in developing the critical care unit.

 

Dr John Cronhelm was one of the pioneers in the Newfoundland Health Care system.  He was the first physician in the province of Newfoundland to ventilate premature babies. He also became of one of a few pain specialists in the province.  John was heavily involved with the MUN Medical School and mentored many medical students and medical residents. During the latter days of his career, he was granted an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from MUN, and life memberships from both the CMA and NLMA in recognition for his dedication, compassion and service to the Newfoundland people.

 

John will be remembered for his compassion in his work and in family life. He had a deep personal faith, was an active member in the United Church of Canada, and supported Wendy in pursuing a vocation in ministry. He was also an amateur radio operator (VO1JCC) and enjoyed talking to other “hams” around the world.

 

John is predeceased by parents Dr. Henry Josiah and Mae Evelyn (neé Armstrong) Cronhelm, and brother Claude. He will be missed by his wife Wendy, children Anthony (Pam), David (Melissa), Heather, and Susan Kolesar (Trevor), grandchildren Gregory, Nicholas, Angela, Alexander, and Rebecca, sister Jane and family, and sister-in-law Sandra and family. A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. James United Church in St. John’s, on Thursday, June 27th at 2:00pm.

Schedule

funeral

2:00pm, Thursday June 27th

St. James United Church


Condolences

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Dear Wendy ,
I just learnt about the passing of Dr.Cronhelm. We will miss him. He had such a commitment to patients and his work. I learnt a lot from him.
I still narrate to people how he taught me to navigate 4 feet of drifted snow to get to work.
But for him I would not have survived my early days in Canada. May his soul rest in peace
Sugantha and Gobi Ganapathy

Dr Cronholm had that special gift of a humble man who found his vocation and embraced it with all his considerable intellect and skill . I was privileged to meet John and his wife Wendy while playing Dr Grenfell for the centennial in 1992. They made a deep impression on me during that remarkable year. John’s dedication was a worthy successor to Dr Wilfred Grenfell. Our sympathy for your loss goes out to Wendy and family.

My deepest sympathies for your loss. I remember Dr Chronhelm well. Both he and Your family were so good to mine when we first came to St Anthony so many years ago.. Thinking of you all, Mrs Chronehelm Heather, Susan, Anthony and David. hugs to you all.
Kate.

I was so very sad to see this news posted on the St. Anthony “Come Home Year” group site yesterday; I was with my mom, Joyce Macaskill, at the time. Both of us recounted some of the many Macaskill get-togethers with the Cronhelm Family while in St. Anthony, and in the many years since. Thank you to Wendy, to Anthony, David, Heather and Susan for blessing our lives with your friendship.

I wanted to tell you all how deeply sad I am to hear of Dr. Cronhelm’s passing. I have so many lovely memories of hanging out in your home in St. Anthony, he will be greatly missed. Sending you all my love and many hugs

Heather and family, our prayers and thoughts are with you all during this most difficult time. Deepest condolences from Topsail United Board of Directors.

Brad Cole

Board Chair

Heather, Gregory, Nicholas and family
Please accept our condolences on the passing of you Father/Grandfather.
We are thinking of you at this difficult time.
The Ryan Family
Gary, Jean Ann, Emily and Liam

Thinking about you all at. This sad time. Never easy to part with a loved on. Dr Cronhelm will always be remembered by the people on the coast a great anes. And one was very comfortable when they knew that he was handling the case. Please accept my sincere condolences

Wendy and all the family.
My sincere condolences to each of you at this sad time. Dr. Cronhelm is a name we shall never forget. It seems like it was only yesterday that I began my work along side him in ICU 1985…We spent 18 years helping each other help all you needed us. He was a gentleman ..professional but we shared many laughs. He could be stubborn too…that was good when needed as well. He lived life to the fullest…right to the end. May God grant him all the graces of heaven that he bestowed on so many over the years. I will see you at the church. Prayers and embraces for all.

To Wendy and kids (Anthony, David, Heather and Susan),
We are very sorry to hear of Dr. Cronhelm’s passing. It was a pleasure to work with him at GRHS when we were there in the 1980s and to worship with your family at St. Anthony United Church during the year (Geoff) or two (Eleanor) that we were there. We have many fond memories of our time in St. Anthony and your family (including, but not limited to Dr. John) figures prominently among them.
May the Lord grant you his peace and comfort in this time of grief, even as you rest confident in the assurance that he has now reached his heavenly rest.
Please accept our sincere condolences.
Blessings and best wishes,
Geoff and Eleanor (Foster) Protheroe

Dear Wendy, Anthony. David, Heather and Susan.
Our thoughts are with you all as we remember our time working with Dr. Cronhelm in St. Anthony many years ago. We had the opportunity to see him in action either in the Operating Room or in the Paediatric Intensive Care unit and found him so professional and so caring an individual. Many times, if an adult or child would start to have breathing problems, he would work his magic on the ventilator and soon all would be well. It was an honour to work with him. He was a role model for what a health care provider should aspire to.
We remember him fondly.

Dear Wendy and Family, our heartfelt condolences on the loss of Dr Cronhelm. We have many memories of his skill and expertise at St.Anthony. He epitomised the spirit of Grenfell.

Heather , Rev. Wendy
Sincere Condolences on the Passing of Your Dad, Husband
My deepest sympathies.

Dear Wendy & Family: I have been thinking of you and John lately & am sorry for the loss to all of us. Please know my thoughts are with you at this time. John’s was a life well spent. & memorable . Grace Bavington

Wendy, I suspect that through many years you were known as the partner of Dr. John, . but in the committees and courts of the church in latter years, he was known to many of us only as the partner of The Rev. Wendy.. His quiet presence seemed to serve as a support for you and your work, and indeed for the work we were all striving to do.. As you give thanks for his remarkable life and service, may it be of comfort and support now that so many others also bless his remembrance.. I extend to you and your family my sincere condolences.

Very sorry to hear of Dr Chronhelm’s passing. I have many memories – – all of the happy some of them funny – of him as a doctor, a man of faith, a neighbour, a friend of the family and a pillar of the community. Dad always said he was the finest of anesthetists and a strength in the operating room. St. Anthony is a better place because of him and the services he provided. My prayers are with Wendy and the family.
Paddy (Thomas) Simpson

John was a true ‘Gentle’-man and we will miss his wry sense of humour and our chats on the Ham Radio. Both Anni and Anni used his services in St. Anthony in the 60’s & 70’s and admired his professionism whilst our patients were in his/our care. God speed John and Rest in Peace.

So very sorry to hear of your husband/Dad, Dr. Cronhelm’s passing. Our deepest condolences. Always be remembered.

So very sorry to hear of your husband/Dad, Dr. Cronhelm’s passing. Our deepest condolences. Always be remembered.

To: Wendy, Anthony, David, Heather and Susan,
When we were growing up in St.Anthony, there were at least three larger than life people in our lives. All three were doctors who were leaders in church and community. Each had gifts differing. Dr. Cronhelm was one of them. He was revered in our home and in the homes all around us. If ever it were possible to be a giant, through a humble and an unassuming spirit, then Dr. Cronhelm was such a person. I can see him now, bone tired, after a long days’ work, coming to our house, to comfort as much as to heal. There is a line in ‘Voices United’ which goes…’’you need my labours, to give others rest.’’ Dr. John, you gave rest to countless multitudes, now we trust, God will give rest to you. Thank you. Tony Newell

So sad to hear of the passing of this remarkable man. I have so many find memories of him when i worked with him back in the early 50’s. He was a great person and a joy to be around. My deepest condolences to Mrs Cronhelm and family

Muriel White

So sad to hear this news about a remarkable man who embraced our community and we are forever thankful for all his contributions and dedication to our hospital. A pioneer and legend to St Anthony, the great northern peninsula and the Labrador coast.
Please know that we all share in your loss.

So sorry to hear of Dr. Cronhelm’s passing. Sending our deepest condolences to Mrs. Cronhelm and family.

Nelson & Brenda Pilgrim

Wendy and Family
Sorry to hear of Dr Cronhelm’s passing. Our deepest sympathies to you all at this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Heather, Rev. Wendy and other Family Members :
Sorry to hear of Dr. cronhelm’s passing !
Heartfelt condolences to all the Family from both of us !
Guy & Peggy Fillier

Sincere condolences to the family. He was a great doctor. My thoughts and prayers are with the family in their time of grief. Gone but will never be forgotten. God has called another angel home. R.I.P. Dr. Chronhelm!

Heather and family,

Our condolences on the passing of your father. Our thoughts are with you during this time.

So sorry to hear of Dr. Cronhelm’s passing. My deepest sympathies to you all during this difficult time.

Worked very closely with Dr.Chronhelm, very respected man in this area. He used to hang out in the biomed shop and tinker with the equipment., that vent in the picture is a Bird.I had to do some convincing to get him to let me through it out.

RIP Dr. Chronhelm, condolences to the family.

Randy and MaryEllen Cull

Wendy and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. When we look at our time in St Anthony and with Grenfell, John epitomised the commitment and dedication of the very best. Newfoundland is truly lucky that John chose there to live and raise such a great family. His legacy will be remembered.

Rev. Wendy, sorry to hear of John’s passing. I have many memories of the both of you while you were our minister in Stephenville. John was a good man who did so much good for so many people during his medical career.. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time

I was saddened to hear of Dr. Cronhelm’s death. He was a true gentlemen and one who gave greatly to the medical scene in St.Anthony. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you journey this time of loss.

Blessing,
Greg Davis

Rev. Wendy, sorry to hear of John’s passing. I have many memories of the both of you while you were our minister in Stephenville. John was a good man who did so much good for so many people during his medical career.. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time
Dave Dawe

Saddened to hear of his passing. Had the privilege of working with this wonderful anesthesiologist doctor. . You were well respected by those in your care.
Sincere condolences to all the family.
R.I.P. Dr Cronhelm.

So sorry to hear of Dr. Cronhelm’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.

Heather and the Cronhelm Family
Sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. Thinking of you and our prayers go out to your family at this time..
Frank & Louise Winsor

Heather & family, thinking of you during this difficult time & keeping you in my thoughts and prayers today & the days to follow.

My heartfelt condolences to the cronhelm family at the loss of your loved one .. my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. RIP .

Rev. Wendy & Family; So sorry to hear of John’s passing. I have many memories of both of you when you were our Minister on the Green’s Harbour Pastoral Charge. Keeping you all in my prayers. Hugs.

So sorry to hear of Dr. Cronhelm’s passing. He was a sweet kind man and so dedicated to his profession. We want to express our sincere condolences to his family and let you know that we have you in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.

Elsie & Chester Slade
St. Anthony, NL

Heather & Family. Roger & I wish to express our sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

David and the Cronhelm family
So sorry to hear about the loss of your father, Dr. John Cronhelm.

With deepest and heartfelt condolences
Pauline Reid

A Great Gentleman gone to rest. Thoughts and prayers are with you, the family as you cherish his memories, celebrate his life and mourn his loss.. Sincere sympathy and God Bless.

Heber and Loretta Hussey,
St Anthony, NL

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. A very well respected gentleman in our community and will certainly be missed.God Bless.

Dr. Cronhelm was a wonderful, dedicated man!
My sincere condolences to Mrs. Cronhelm and family.

Sincere sympathy to all the family. I remember Dr. Cronhelm well & have fond memories of him when I worked in St.Anthony in the mid 1970’s. He was a good teacher & always available when needed in the neo-natal intensive care cubicle.

So sorry to hear of his passing. Sending condolences to the family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time, Dr. Cronhelm surely was a gentleman in every way…. he was highly respected in our community.

Patsy and Dwayne Cull

Sorry to hear about your dad. You and your family are in my thoughts today.

Dr. Richard Reid
Victoria, B.C.

Sending our sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. Cronhelm. We have always held him in high regard for both his professionalism and as a community member.
Tom and Rona ORielly

Rev. Wendy
So sorry to hear of Johns passing. I think of you often and all the times we shared together. Hugs to you.

Saddened to hear of Dr. Cronhelm’s passing. We have many cherished memories of working with him for many years in St. Anthony. Sending our deepest condolences to all his family, friends & colleagues.
Beattie & Cathy Simms

Sad to hear of Dr Cronhelms passing ..It was my pleasure as a Midwife to work alongside him in the Obstetrics Dept of The Charkes Curtis Memorial Hospitsl in St Anthony , as he skillfully administered pain relief to my clients.
As an ex pat myself we would often chat about the old country .Assuring the family of my prayers during your time of sorrow..