A Final Farewell to All
Surely every resident of North
Shore Towers knows Barbara
Cronin in the Management Office.
If by chance you haven’t met her
in person, odds are you’ve spoken
with her on the phone or exchanged
an email or two over the years.
Barbara will be leaving NST this
month for greener pastures (and a
warmer climate) and wanted to
share her thoughts and feelings
with the people who’ve made her
near-decade at NST such a wonderful
experience.
BY BARBARA A. CRONIN
I’m sitting here at my computer
at home thinking about my years at
North Shore Towers. I’m especially
thinking about my fond memories
of you, the residents, who have welcomed
me from day one. So many
of you have always had a kind word
and a smile or a wave to me when
passing my window—you’ll never
know how much that has meant
to me. I have not once felt anything
but great gratitude and affection for
you. You’ve made me feel worthy,
wanted and needed. My feelings
are deep and maybe I’m a bit of a
mush, but it is genuine and straight
from my heart and I couldn’t leave
without saying “goodbye.”
When I first started working
here 8 ½ years ago, I was thrilled
that I was hired for more than one
reason, including a hop, skip and a
jump of a commute, beautiful surroundings
and wonderful people
all around. Yet at the same time I
was nervous as anything, not sure
that I’d work out, even though being
a receptionist was basically all of
my experience. But NST was a bit
intimidating!
Happily, I soon adapted and felt
so comfortable in my surroundings
because I was doing what I was
always meant to do--helping you, I’d
be your confidant, personal adviser
at times, lend an ear or shoulder to
lean on, assisting with your abatement
applications and questions
and whatever little problem you
were having. Whatever it was, I was
ever so happy that you came to me
to try and help you see it through.
I’ve made quite a few friends and
am grateful for them and I believe
they are truly forever friends.
Through it all I loved being there
for you. You made it easy for me
because your kindness and warmth,
and your patience drew me in. I’ll
never forget you, I’ll always love
you, and I’ll always remember the
love and warmth I received, felt and
cherished.
It’s time for me to end my time
with you now that I’m moving on
to greener pastures and adventures
where my husband and I feel the
greatest happiness in Palm Harbor,
Florida. I just want you to remember
me as someone who appreciated
you and absolutely adored every
one of you. You’ve helped me grow
to be a much better person. Actually,
I consider you all my heroes.
I also want to talk about the
people I’ve worked closest with
over the years. There are always
those special few that you know
are genuine, caring people. First,
some might say that our General
Manager, Glen Kotowski, can be
“moody,” but I honestly cannot say
that at all as an employee. To the
contrary, I have found him to always
be kind and approachable, and
through the years I’ve been treated
with respect and gratitude for my
services. Glen has been a great boss
that I will forever look back on and
say I once had a boss who truly was
fair and never had favorites in the
office. Everyone is treated equally,
and I appreciate that because he
made a soft, relaxing atmosphere for
everyone. To me, he’s tops as a boss.
Second, there is dear Linda
Rappaport--the sweetest, most
genuine disposition and always
with a kind word and always has
your back. I’ve learned an awful lot
from her, especially in the customer
service area. In fact I think I became
almost like her, lol, because she
inspired me to be much more than
customer service, accommodating
the residents and contractors, and
I’ve grown more in that way because
she taught me through her wondrous
personality and graciousness.
I love her for who and what she
represents for Greenthal Mgt. and
as the woman and person she is. I
will always remember her and never
forget my years working with her.
Third, there’s Bruce Vogel, assistant
to Glen Kotowski, who has
been so intelligent and so present
when you needed some guidance,
whether to proofread correspondence
that I had to write to vendors
or even on a personal note because
I just did not have the “panache.”
Secretly I would listen in on his
phone calls and listen to how he
spoke and phrased a sentence; I
was learning from him, little did
he know (but he does now!). And
he was also fair and understanding,
with a lot of patience, I may add. I
will miss him.
Fourth, there’s the videographer
we all know, love and respect,
John Virga. What can I say about
him—he is so down to earth and
real--you knew he is genuine in
his speaking to you, always with
a philosophical saying, lol. You
just can’t help but love the guy, I’m
sure you all agree. John is there and
in a pinch he comes through and
never complains. But most of all
his friendship has been sincere, the
kind of person you can actually say,
“That’s a friend.” I will miss him
dearly for all he put up with and
never complained.
I also want to mention Jim
Cavanaugh, CFO of Greenthal. I’ve
only known him for a short time
and have found him to be an awfully
nice man and an amazing colleague.
Last but not least, there’s Terry
Doyle, our Human Resources representative.
She has been the kindest
person with a friendly demeanor,
always answering my questions and
has been very supportive. She’s great!
For all the others I’ve worked
with, I appreciate the team effort
and getting things done. This was,
I think, the most beautiful job and
place I’ve ever worked.
Take care, everyone! Stay well!
Be happy! Don’t fret over the small
things, life is just too short to be
unhappy or have mean thoughts.
Be kind. And please take care of
yourselves, be well and stay the way
you are! Never change.
Love you forever, Barbara
General Manager Glen
Kotowski added his own good
wishes to Barbara.
“Over eight years ago
Barbara Cronin was hired by
me to become the Greenthal
Management receptionist at
North Shore Towers. She arrived
with many character traits that
contributed to her success as a
receptionist, or as some refer to
her,’ the gatekeeper.’ Multitasking
like a busy air traffic controller,
directing the many in-person
inquiries and phone calls with
a genuine, caring concern for
directing them to the right person
or place the first time. She
is smart, kind and genuinely
cared about you, our residents.
I appreciate Barbara’s years of
service helping us make North
Shore Towers the great place it is.
On behalf of everyone at North
Shore Towers, I wish her and
Jimmy only the best in the new
chapter of their lives. Barbara
will be missed but not forgotten.”
~ Glen
Barbara Cronin
Receptionist, NST Management Office
January 2022 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 7