CROKE, MICHAEL R. On September 7, 2016, age 69 years, of Natick, MA, formerly of Randolph and Wellesley. Beloved husband of the late Joyce A. (Kennedy) Croke for 43 years. Father of two daughters, Jill (Croke) Larsen and her husband Christopher of Wellesley and Janessa (Croke) Huckaby and her husband John of Natick. Son of the late William E. and Kathryn (Johnston) Croke. One of ten children, Michael is survived by his siblings, Nancy (Croke) Vitali of Sharon, Judy (Croke) Reeves of Weymouth, Catherine (Croke) St. Sauveur of Melrose, William Croke of Marietta, GA, Susan (Croke) Burke of Milton, Robert Croke of Danvers, and Sara Croke of Westwood, KS. Grandfather of Madison Clark and Kaylin Huckaby of Natick and Andrew and Brady Larsen of Wellesley. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
A graduate of Belmont Hill School (1964), he received his Bachelors from Northeastern University and a Masters from Boston State College. Michael spent much of his career in Sales at RIS Paper, Rourke-Eno and Winthrop Printing. Growing up in the South End and Dorchester, he had a lifelong love for New England sports teams and his alma mater. He could often be found at Beanpot Hockey games cheering on Northeastern or tailgating at Belmont Hill, BC or Patriots football games. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and children and he loved to swim. In his retirement, he could be found doing deliveries for Plaza Deli in Boston or on the sidelines of his grandkids’ athletic games.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington Street, WELLESLEY, Tuesday, September 13 at 9:00 am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Paul’s Church, Wellesley at 10:00 am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours at the funeral home, Monday, September 12 from 4:00-8:00 pm. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael’s memory may be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, 200 High Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02110, www.bgcb.org.