JOHN PAUL CRONIN, 82, 2307 Avenue D, nationally known bridge engineer, builder of the Omaha-Council Bluffs Street Railway Bridge and for years in charge of the structure, died Saturday at his home. He was born in Inniscara, County Cork, Ireland, and had lived here for thirty-five years.

Mr. Cronin came here originally with the Lovejoy Construction Company of Kansas City to construct the street railway bridge across the Missouri River. It was opened in the fall of 1888. About two years ago when extensive repairs were made to the bridge, including widening, which permitted of a double streetcar track, Mr. Cronin was assistant engineer of the work, staying on the job until its completion.

Through the efforts of the late Senator Millard of Nebraska, who was a high official of the street railway and bridge company, Mr. Cronin was inducted to remain with the company after the structure was completed in 1888. Senator Millard felt that a man was needed for the bridge end of the corporation. He believed that Cronin was the right man, so Cronin was appointed superintendent of the bridge, with the agreement that he should have the job for life.

He was on the job until the last new additions were started. When the construction engineers came for that work they recognized Cronin's ability and he went with them to make soundings for the new piers. Their conclusion was: "If the new piers last as well as the old ones, it will be for the life of the bridge."

Soon after the new work on the bridge was completed, Cronin was put on the pension roll, being the oldest employee of the company. At the time of his retirement on pension all bridge and construction work was under his supervision. All the "loops" of the company, such as the one at the U.P. Transfer, the one at Manawa and the one at Pearl and Broadway uptown.

Cronin was associated with many large bridge construction projects, including the Eads bridge at St. Louis, the Jetties at New Orleans and the first Hudson River project. On these projects he was assistant engineer. Hundreds of smaller type projects were under his supervision.

He is survived by: three daughters; Mrs. W.L. Gruber and Mrs. Bert E. Hill of this city and Mrs. R.S. Sadler of Chicago, and four grandsons; P.J. Gruber of Oskaloosa, Iowa and Bernard W. Gruber of this city and John B. Hill and Donald J. Hill of this city.

Funeral services will be held at 9 Monday morning at the Holy Family Catholic Church, Rev. Father O'Keefe officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.