James Crone Death – In 1954, James Patrick “Pat” Crone was born on the evening of New Year’s Eve, forcing his mother to alter her celebration plans. On Thursday, April 4, 2024, Pat passed away after a valiant fight with cancer. You couldn’t turn around now. It is an understatement to say that we are all very devastated right now. Pat went to college at three different institutions: Sheridan, Chatham Collegiate Institute, and Lake Superior State College. He had aspirations of playing hockey when he was younger, but music transformed into his identity, profession, and passion.
For almost fifty years, Pat has been a fixture in the music business as a talented and respected drummer. Specifically, with a plethora of different bands, including the renowned rock band Manpower and the Ken Crone Jazz Trio. He treasured the opportunity to perform and the friendship he earned from recording and collaborating with some of the best artists in southwestern Michigan and Ontario. He enjoyed passing on his knowledge and experience to a big number of students, which he had done for over 40 years as a drum teacher.
Also, Pat had a natural talent for the arts. His paintings may be seen in many homes and places of business across Chatham-Kent and beyond. The beach, antique shopping, road trips, photography, and gathering with loved ones to celebrate with libations were all things that he and Elaine much enjoyed. Pat had an endless supply of stories (and sarcasm) to tell and knowledge to share on any number of subjects, from the history of movies and music to politics, sports, and current events. Everyone here enjoyed listening to his stories.
A large amount of evidence suggests that Pat was an uncontrollable hoarder of sentimental items and “stuff.” The Miami Dolphins and the Montreal Canadiens, together with butter tarts and fresh strawberries, were Pat’s “M&M’s,” and he had an intense and lasting fondness for all of these items. We shall really miss him since he was an absolutely delightful companion and we will miss him for all the right reasons. Many of Pat’s relatives—including his grandparents—died before he was born.
His mother, Anastasia (née Mullen), died in 2000, and his father, Ken Crone, died in 2019. Elaine Brosseau, his beloved wife of 47 years, and his siblings Mike Crone and Robyn, Carolyn Broadbent and Mike, and his nieces and nephews Mark (and Kim), Matt (and Michelle), and Natalie (and Jordan), as well as Spencer and Chloe Crone, are among his surviving relatives. Alex, Zac, Nick, Emily, Bruce, and Jim—among his great-nieces and nephews—will always remember him with sadness.
Elaine is also held in high esteem by her mother, Louise Brosseau, her sister Judy, her brother Kenny (Lucy), and the late Diane Bushey (Brad). She is also dearly loved by her nieces and nephews, including Jessica Barton (Adam), Vanessa Lane (Steve), and their children, Ella-Belle, Abbigale, and Diana and Harry, as well as by Drew and Kaiden Bushey. Some of the people who have survived and loved him include his aunt Elizabeth Haering (Denis), uncles Dan and Terry Mullen, and a big number of cousins, all of whom he cherished.
The whole cancer care team at CKHA, London, and Windsor, as well as Dr. Lindsey Sutherland, nurse Mary Beth Cadotte, and everyone else at VON and HCCSS, deserves our deepest appreciation for the wonderful attention and support we received. I am very grateful to the wonderful staff at CK Hospice for the exceptional care that Pat received in his last days. Everyone in our extended family, circle of friends, and neighborhood that helped us out in any way they could, whenever we needed it, has our deepest gratitude.
No public service will be conducted at this time, since Pat’s wishes have been respected. We have already cremated the body. It was his desire to be remembered privately. He says you should listen to the drummer closely while cranking up the volume to 10. The Chatham Concert Band, the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation, the Volunteer Organization of Norfolk (VON), or another charity of your choice may receive memorial contributions in lieu of the dead.
