James ‘Jim’ Kronus III
James “Jim” Patrick Kronus III, 82, of Bradenton died Dec. 18, 2023. He was born May 17, 1941, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to James Patrick Kronus Jr. and Sophie (Zekala) Kronus.
He attended Fairfield College Preparatory School and Wagner College, where he received a bachelor of science degree in education in 1965. He received his master of arts degree in education from Western Carolina University.
Mr. Kronus served 25 years as principal at Anna Maria Elementary, from 1974 to his retirement in January 1999.
He was named Islander of the Year for 1998, including recognition on the cover of the Dec. 30, 1998 edition of The Islander. The cover story can be viewed with the obituary at islander.org.
He returned to AME when the auditorium was dedicated in his name in April 2008. He was truly honored and humbled by the recognition at the reception held in his honor and thanked everyone who attended.
Mr. Kronus said then, “My life was better for all the wonderful people I knew.”
Following the naming and unveiling of a plaque for the James P. Kronus Auditorium by principal Tom Levengood, Mr. Kronus stretched out his arms — as he did at every event during his tenure — to lead the pledge of allegiance.
The auditorium was the only structure of the original school at 4700 Gulf Drive that remained in use after the school was rebuilt in 2006.
He loved his family and friends, his “little school by the bay,” his students and their families, his staff and all of Anna Maria Island.
And his love for AME and Anna Maria Island was much appreciated. He had a grace and manner about him that made everyone feel warm, protected and loved. Many students and parents recall that he asked that they bring him a cupcake on their birthdays — and each student got a personal greeting and thank-you from him on their special day.
The family suggests memorial donations be made in his name to Tidewell Hospice. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Kronus is survived by his wife, Dalene; son James and wife Lisa; daughters Denise and husband Scott Ruoff and Dana and husband Chris Vining; grandchildren Lauren, Taylor, Austin, Alex, Peyton, Camden and Hayley; great-grandchildren Miles, Marceline and Maverick; and sisters Patricia Fitzgerald and Florence Bohn.
It is with great sadness my family and I learned Mr. Kronus has passed away. We share so many wonderful memories of his time as principal at AMIE during the years my daughters Katharine and Suzanne Wight. Mr. Kronus was the finest man in education I have known in my life. His dedication to children, his inclusion of parents and his willingness to work with teachers and staff in so many ways contributed to an unparalleled education foundation in many island children’s lives. It was our very great honor to have known him well. Our condolences go to Darlene and his family for their monumental loss which is felt by many in the community.