Daniel P. Croken

Daniel Patrick Croken, age 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 15, 2025, after a long illness. Born in Springfield, MA, on April 17, 1943, he was son of the late Daniel J. Croken and Bridget (Carney) Croken.

Dan was predeceased by his beloved brother, Edward Croken; late wife, Maureen (Lynch) Croken; and son-in-law, William Allen.

He is survived by his loving wife, Trish (Ryan) Courtney-Croken; his brother, William Croken; his son, Daniel J. Croken and wife Heather (Knorr); his daughter, Deborah (Croken) Allen; and his son, David Croken, and his pride and joy, two loving grandchildren, Sean Croken and Hannah Croken.

He also leaves his three stepsons: Matthew Courtney and wife Mandy (Kinnon); Bryan Courtney and wife Chrissie (Zartman); and Christopher Courtney and wife Alyssa (Carvalho), as well as six cherished step-grandchildren: Emma Courtney, Keira Courtney, Grace Courtney, Thomas Courtney, Bodie Courtney, and Tate Courtney. His Grandies will miss him very much.

In addition, he leaves his two nieces Rebecca (Croken) Mitchell and husband Keith; and Molly Mickiewicz and husband David; along with two grandnieces and three grandnephews; Michelle Croken, Hayden Corcoran, Liam Mickiewicz, Caleb Mickiewicz and Dylan Mitchell.

Dan attended schools in East Longmeadow and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1961, where he excelled academically and was an accomplished baseball pitcher. He graduated from STCC. He served as an altar boy at St. Michael’s Church for many years, delivered the Shopping News, caddied at Longmeadow Country Club, worked as an elevator operator at Forbes & Wallace, and managed the Glenwood Cafe from 1978-1979.

A proud Veteran, Dan served in the U.S. Air Force in 1964 during the Vietnam era, stationed at Westover Air Force Base as an Airman 2nd Class, and worked in Accounting and Finance. He was honorably discharged in 1968 as a Sergeant.

He later served as Maintenance Manager for the East Longmeadow Housing Authority at Inward Commons and Village Green and was a member of the American Legion East Longmeadow Post 293.

In 1969, Dan joined the East Longmeadow Call Fire Fighters, serving the town for 20 years. In 1970, he received an award for meritorious service from the East Longmeadow Board of Selectmen for his assistance to a fellow firefighter during a fire at Mountain View Stables. He served as president of the East Longmeadow Firefighters Association in 1978 and co-chairman of the East Longmeadow Heart Sunday Drive.

Dan enjoyed a long career in the postal service, starting in 1962 at the U.S. Post Office in East Longmeadow and advancing through roles including Letter Carrier, Acting Supervisor, Foreman of Mails, Supervisor, and Acting Postmaster in Ludlow.

His passion for the transportation industry led to a successful 41-year career, including work at Rapid Express in Suffield, CT; co-ownership of Royal Transport in Windsor Locks, CT; and retirement in 2021 from Trans Courier Systems in Indian Orchard, MA.

Dan was an avid horse racing enthusiast who spent many summers with his wife Trish and brother, Bill, in Saratoga, NY, watching the greatest thoroughbreds compete at the historic Saratoga Race Course. He was also thrilled to watch his brother Eddie’s racehorse compete there. He also enjoyed the competition at Santa Anita Park in California and at Del Mar Racetrack, famously known as “where the surf meets the turf.”

Dan spent many summers in Eastham at Cape Cod with his children.

All of his life he was a great outdoorsman and spent many years enjoying hunting and fishing with his Father, Uncles and Brothers. He was very proud he taught many of his grandkids to fish!

He and his wife Trish loved hiking at The Quabbin, exploring Rock House Reservation and watching the sunrises and sunsets at the beaches in Chatham, MA and Redondo Beach, CA. They also enjoyed tending to their garden as well as feeding the birds.

Dan proudly embraced his Irish heritage from maternal grandparents on Great Blasket Island (An Blascaod Mór), a remote Gaelic outpost off County Kerry. Sustained by fishing, farming, and storytelling in harsh conditions, many emigrated including his mother, Bridget Carney to Springfield, MA, forming a tight-knit community preserving their traditions, language, and resilience.

Dan honored this legacy throughout his life, traveling to Ireland ten times to connect with his ancestral homeland. He served as president of the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee for one year and was a committee member for six years, helping celebrate and preserve Irish culture in his community. In 1978 he was a Parade Committee Judge of the Colleen Contest. Dan was a devoted weekly listener to the Healy’s Irish Music Radio Show, a beloved local program featuring traditional tunes. Even in his final months, he found joy in listening to his favorite Irish music.

Dan was a dedicated volunteer, orchestrating the delivery of children’s books to local Springfield Schools through Link to Libraries, helping foster a love of reading in young minds. He also generously gave his time to The Don Tucker Open, supporting efforts to benefit the Leukemia Association.

To his loving wife Trish, he was Donal; to his children, Dad; to his grandchildren, “Da”; and to his loyal family and friends, simply Dan. He loved teasing those closest to him—the more he liked you, the more he teased—with a great sense of humor and playful “nuggies” for his grandchildren. He was immensely proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA,

Dan’s Funeral will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Friends and family may meet at 12:00 Noon for a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Michael’s Church, 128 Maple Street, East Longmeadow, MA.

Rites of Committal will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Children’s Hospital of Boston, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602,Boston, MA 02215, https://giving.childrenshospital.org