Joseph Paul Cromer, Jr

Joseph Paul Cromer, Jr. of Baltimore, MD passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on March 20th, 2021 at Watts Assisted Living Facility. Joseph was born in Burr Hill, Virginia on March 7th, 1925, one of six children to the late Joseph Paul Cromer and Myrtle May Mayhanes. He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph Paul and Myrtle May Mayhanes Cromer and his sisters, Mardella Schmigel, Pauline Sharpe, Dolly Bray, Margie Liberto, and Charlotte Brandt. He is survived by his wife, Helen Dorothy Cromer (Stevenson), and his sons Joseph P. Cromer, III, Richard M. Ecker, daughters Janie Williams (Cromer), Deborah Mastracci (Cromer), Bonnie Miller (Cromer), Donna Pecoraro (Cromer), and Pamela Warburton (Cromer). Joseph is also survived by his grandchildren, Stephanie Holderfield, Richard Ecker, Jennifer Ecker, Chrissy Ecker, Timothy Ecker, Steven Cromer, Alyssa Miller, Michael Sheckells, Nicole Sheckells, CJ Dyson, Nicholas Pecoraro, Morgan Pecoraro, Jadon Pecoraro, Adam Warburton and his three great grandsons, and four great granddaughters. He served in the Navy during World War II aboard the USS Cofer and was awarded the European Theater ribbon, Pacific Theater ribbon with two stars, American Theater ribbon, Philippine Liberation ribbon with one star and the Victory medal. Joseph was a lifelong member of the American Legion Dewey Lowman Post 109 in Halethorpe. Joseph worked for Safeway Scaffolding Co. and later for Jenkins Memorial Nursing Home. Even after two retirements, he continued working as a handyman throughout the Violetville area as well as for family and friends. He knew how to repair just about everything and struggled in recent years as he was unable to assist and only able to direct and oversee. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, boating, working in his fishpond and doing all the seasonal gardening. His favorite time was planning his vegetable garden and competing with his daughters as to who got the first ripe tomato. His most treasured times were with his family and loyal pets Christiana and Garfield. With COVID quarantine, he enjoyed having a beer with his daughter for quarantine happy hour. Much time was spent at dinner reminiscing over childhood homes and googling pictures. They were both amazed with the power of the internet. Family albums and pictures of times long gone brought much joy to both. There were ongoing conversations about the best cooking between his daughters and Dad was brutally honest in the most loving and kind-hearted way. Even during his final days, he still asked for a cigarette and beer. He made sure Christiana received her medications and that Mom was ok. He called out the names of the ones he depended on and always showed respect and thankfulness to all his caretakers. Every request or response was ended with “thank you.” Due to COVID restrictions Joseph will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Baltimore National Cemetery in Baltimore, MD. Dad - you were loved by all and will be greatly missed but never forgotten, you will be part of our lives forever! In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Watts Group Assisted Living, 1445 Watts Avenue, Severn MD 21144, where he received amazing care and compassion over the past 3 months. Fair Winds and Following Seas