This week will be all about my father’s dad, my grandfather; Howard Cronk!
This wonderful man was born July 3rd, 1942 right her in Victoria at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. He started off at West Saanich School for grades 1 and 2, grade 3 at Kingston Street School in James Bay, grades 4, 5, and 6 were at Cordova Bay Elementary School (the elementary school where I graduated from). After this he ventured to Victoria High where he graduated.
Following his schooling, Howard started his apprenticeship at a local Victoria firm JJ Ross & Sons. On completing his apprenticeship, he went to join the government at the Ministry of Public Works. It was here where he got promoted to the position of the foreman in the restoration process of our local Legislature Building right here in Victoria.
After this, he got transferred over to Kamloops as the painter foreman for the South Central Interior in 1974. Two years later, the Cronk Clan ventured back to the island specifically Nanaimo to take the position of the foreman of works, ending his long career of painting. In ’77, the family relocated back to Victoria as Howard became the property manager of Victoria (everything excluding the Parliament Buildings).
Fast forward to 1986, he was transferred over to the development group to fill the position as a project manager building courthouses, RCMP building and such throughout the entirety of the Province.
Reaching the end of his career, he retired in 2002. Although he wasn’t retired long (about a week) as he immediately formed his own consulting business, specifically working with the University of Victoria building dorms (approx. 500 beds). His final retirement was in 2005 where he shut down his consulting business.
After retiring, Howie can’t stop collecting, admiring, and driving antique cars and classics. His favourite of the cars he owned was his ’55, bright red, Thunderbird. Presently, he is the proud owner of a 1962 Thunderbird convertible.
His leisure time is predominately taken up by watching his grandchildren’s sports, more cars, going to the gym, and constantly hanging out with his boys.
Both of my grandparents love to travel now that they are retired, venturing all over the world. Some highlights of the places they went to were all of the United Kingdom, Cuba, Hawaii, the Mediterranean countries of Europe, and lots of Mexico trips. Basically, wherever the time and money will allow!
Here are some cute picture of my grandfather. The first one being us sitting in his current T-Bird!
Riley
