These biographies are a second generation of John Jeremiah Cremin & Margaret Ellen Smyth. They are represented in the following family tree.
The Family of John J. Cremin(s) and Margaret E. Smyth
(It is to be noted, the family name in Ireland is Cremin. There are several accounts, but no definitive answer, as to why the “s” was added to the name of the family members who emigrated to the U.S.)
John Jeremiah Cremin(s)
Born Feburary 2, 1899, at Boola, near Mallow, County Cork, Ireland, the eleventh child of Jeremiah Cremin and Mary Buckley Cremin. He was educated in the national schools. John emigrated to the U.S. August 21, 1921. He came to Los Angeles where his brother, Denis, lived.
John was employed by the Los Angeles Gas and Electric Corp., working on a gas line installation crew, digging ditches for the new gas lines. His foreman was a fellow Irishman, Martin Nolan, who made John his timekeeper and bookkeeper, accounting for the footage of gas lines installed each day.
Later in his gas company career he worked as an emergency stand-by crew member, working nights and processing next day work orders for gas servicemen. Later he worked as a customer service man. His last job with the Gas Co. was as a serviceman for the restaurant industry.
In the mid-1930’s Los Angeles Gas and Electric sold its electrical holdings to the City of Los Angeles. About a year later it sold its gas holdings to the Southern California Gas Co., who absorbed the L.A. Gas employees.
John attended night school for citizenship and was naturalized June 14, 1929. Sometime in 1938, he developed a problem with his right hand which was not diagnosed for several years. The problem turned out to be Parkinson’s Disease, which caused his retirement on disability. He suffered from Parkinson’s for over 20 years.
John spent the last five years of life at the St. John of God Nursing Facility in Los Angeles. He died January 31, 1967. His final resting place is Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, CA.
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Margaret Ellen Smyth Cremins
Born January 3, 1889, at Oulart, County Wexford, Ireland, the fourth of six children born to Luke Smyth and Johanna Crean. Margaret was schooled in the national schools of Ireland, and received her higher education at the Presentation Convent School in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, about 12-15 miles from Oulart. She was training to be a teacher. She emigrated to the U.S. October 26, 1911. She arrived through the port of Boston and went to be with her sister, Mary, in Chicago.
She worked for Sears, Roebuck & Co. in the mail order department, and also for the Marshall Field Department Store in Chicago as a sales clerk. Later she worked as a domestic, for Mr. and Mrs. Edward Butler, of Hubbard Woods, IL, a town north of Chicago. Mr. Butler was part owner with his brother of Butler Bros. Department Stores, a nation-wide chain.
The Edward Butler's came to Pasadena many times in the winter seasons, and they brought their household staff with them. It was on one of these visits in 1922 that Margaret met John Cremins, at an Irish dance in Pasadena.
There was a large Irish community in Pasadena. They had many house parties where the Irish met and danced and socialized. John met Margaret at one of these parties. John would have to catch the Pacific Electric car from Los Angeles to Pasadena to do his romancing. He almost missed the last car home one night. He had to fly like a gladiator to catch it. Many romances grew out of these get-togethers.
John Cremins and Margaret Smyth were married at St. Columbkille Church in LosAngeles, on June 12, 1923. The ceremony was conducted by Fr. Daniel Nunan, a cousin to Margaret’s Maid of Honor, Margaret Nunan O’Conner. Their reception was held at the 518 W. 57th St. home of John’s brother, Denis. John and Margaret honeymooned on board a ship en route to San Francisco. Later they purchased a California bungalow at 345 E. 64th St. in Los Angeles, living there until 1939. John Jeremiah Cremins, Jr., their only child, was born at Angelus Hospital, 1925 Trinity St., Los Angeles, on October 20, 1925.
Margaret died November 12, 1969. Her final resting place is Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City CA.
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The Family of Francis Joseph Coleman and Katherine Kilmeade
Francis Joseph Coleman
Born Feburary 25, 1883, at Barnashrone, County Leix, Ireland, one of fifteen children born to Richard Coleman and Mary Grogan. He was educated in the national schools of Ireland. He became a carpenter’s apprentice, leaving Ireland to work as a carpenter on merchant ships, sailing around the world. He worked in Australia for a period of time, plus many other ports of call.
He eventually came to the U.S., working in Texas. While visiting his boss in the hospital, he met an Irish nurse, Katherine Kilmeade. This meeting eventually turned into love and marriage. Frank and Katherine spent some time in Texas, and while in El Paso, a son (Francis-Frank Jr.) was born.
Shortly after Frank was born, the family moved to California. While living in Glendale, CA, a second child (Catherine, known as Kathleen) was born. The family moved to Los Angeles, to an area known as the San Antonio Judicial District. Here Frank built a California bungalow for the family at 7925 S. Hooper Ave. while working as a cabinet and furniture maker in Hollywood. His last regular assignment was to run the mill at PRC movie studios. The industry went out on strike, and Frank being a strong union man, never went back to work at the studios. The strike was a long drawn out affair. Frank then worked independent jobs until his retirement, which was not retirement as he saw it since he had several projects going all the time. Every Saturday night he would dress up and head out for an Irish dance.
Frank died September 14, 1968. His final resting place is Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, CA, next to his dear wife,
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Katherine Kilmeade Coleman
Born July 6, 1881, at Ballymahon, County Longford, Ireland, to Patrick Kilmeade and Mary Finnegan. She was schooled in Ballymahon, County Longford. Katherine came to the U.S. with the Sisters of Charity arriving in New Orleans, LA. While a novice in the order, she discovered she did not have a vocation to religious life, and left the novitiate. She enrolled in the nursing school at Charity Hospital, New Orleans, where she graduated as an R.N. at the top of her class. She pursued nursing all her life until the 1930's when a knee injury prevented continuation in the nursing profession.
She had a real sense of real estate and the better locations to observe for possible purchase and settlement. She made the decision to move the family from Hooper Ave. to Inglewood, and then later to the residence on 5859 3rd Ave. This was left for her to manage as Frank was working long irregular hours at the studios, building movie scenery. The movie demands were great on the carpenters.
Katherine died October 13, 1953. Her final resting place is Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, CA.
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The Family of John Jeremiah Cremins, Jr., and Kathleen Coleman
John Jeremiah Cremins, Jr.
Born October 20, 1925, he was always called Jerry, so that when the name John was called, both he and his father would not answer at the same time. Jerry was educated at St. Columbkille Parochial School until 1939, when the family moved to the Riverside Drive area of Los Angeles. Jerry finished eighth grade at Divine Saviour Parochial School, Los Angeles. He then attended Cathedral High School, Los Angeles, conducted by the De La Salle Christian Brothers.
While on summer vacation, Jerry worked as a day laborer at the Cal Ship Boat Builders on Terminal Island. It was unskilled labor, picking up scrap metal cut off by the welders and toting it to scrap bins. Many times it took two helpers who would have to sweep the decks clean of trash and welding slag. It was a back-breaking job, and you would never get rich on it!!
Jerry was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1944. Having enough credits to be graduated, he received his high school diploma while serving in the Navy. Jerry did boot camp at Farrugut Is. After completing boot camp he was sent to the Hospital Corps School at Farragut, graduating as a hospital corpsman. He was shipped to Norco, CA, Naval Hospital, working in the tuberculosis wards, rhumatic fever wards, and central supply, plus doing special work for commander, Samuel Taymor, M.D.
He was next assigned to Arrowhead Springs Naval Hospital, San Bernardino, CA. There were no nursing duties at this location. It was all labor work, moving furniture and heavy equipment to other locations when the hospital was being de-commissioned. After that he was transferred to the U.S. Naval Hospital, Beaumont, CA, where he performed the same duties. Jerry was discharged from the Navy in 1946.
In February 1947, Jerry was appointed a Los Angeles police officer. He attended the Los Angeles Police Academy, graduating in March 1947. From March 1947, to May 1952, he worked as a traffic investigation officer. He then transferred to Newton St. Police Division, where he worked as a patrol officer and vice officer. The next assignment was to Metropolitan Division, where he had a variety of assignments during the next five years. Next came the Police Commission for a year where he worked as an investigator in the Police Permit Section. In January 1963, he was transferred to the Wilshire Division Detectives, working as an auto theft investigator, and working the night detective desk. In March 1963, he was appointed as Sergeant of Police, remaining at Wilshire Detectives. The next assignment was to Burglary-Auto Division, Burglary Special Squad. From 1972-1977 he was the officer in charge of the pawn shop detail, retiring March 12, 1977, with 30 years and 22 days service!!
After three years retirement he received an invitation from the chief of police to be a reserve officer. He was a reserve officer for ten years, working one day a week at his last assignment. During his retirement years, he served as a director of the Los Angeles Retired Fire and Police Association, then elected to the position of secretary. In this same time period he was elected treasurer of the Former Los Angeles Police Associates. He held both positions for many years.
Jerry Cremins and Kathleen Coleman were married on October 28, 1950, in St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church, in Los Angeles. The ceremony was conducted by Rev. Fr. Harold Cremins, Jerry`s first cousin.
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Catherine Mary Coleman Cremins
Born October 9, 1923, Glendale, CA. Catherine has been known as Kathleen since her teen age years. She attended St. Aloysius and St. John The Evangelist Parochial Schools in Los Angeles, graduating the eighth grade. She then attended Catholic Girls High School, Los Angeles, graduating class of 1943.
After graduation she was employed by the S.S. White Dental Supply Co., Los Angeles, and the Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing and Supply Co, Los Angeles and Vernon, CA. She worked as a receptionist, in accounts receiveable, and also relieved as switchboard operator. She was working for Westinghouse when she met and married Jerry Cremins.
Kathleen was a stay-at-home mother raising their three children. After the children were raised she volunteered at Santa Teresita Hospital, Duarte, CA., for twenty six years, until a foot injury caused her to retire. Four years later, in February 2006, she again started volunteering at the same facility, continuing to the current time.
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The Children of Jerry Cremins and Kathleen Coleman Cremins
Denis Joseph Cremins
Born December 27, 1951, Los Angeles CA. Denis attended All Saints Parochial School, Los Angeles, and St. Rita Parochial School, Sierra Madre, where he graduated the eighth grade. He attended St. Francis High School, La Canada, taught by the Franciscan Capuchin Friars, graduating in 1970. He attended California State University, Los Angeles, graduating with a B.S. Degree.
In May 1972, he was sworn as a Los Angeles police officer, attending the Los Angeles Police Academy. He worked many assignments, and was chosen to attend the FBI National Academy, where he graduated from the Criminal Profiling Unit. He also attended and graduated the Juvenile Delinquency Institute. Denis also attended U.S.C., completing a Masters Degree in Public Administration.
While attending the F.B.I. Academy, Denis met and married Marie Ann Siracuse on November 28, 1985. They have an adopted daughter, Alexandra Grace, who was born in China, March 15, 1997.
In October 2004, Denis was appointed Captain Of Police, Los Angeles Police Department.
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Timothy Gerard Cremins
Born October 15, 1954, Los Angeles, CA. Tim attended All Saints Parochial School, Los Angeles, and St. Rita Parochial School, Sierra Madre, where he graduated the eighth grade. He attended St. Francis High School, La Canada, taught by the Franciscan Capuchin Friars, graduating in 1973. He attended California State University, Pomona, graduating with a B.S. Degree in Ornamental Horticulture.
Following graduation he married Julie Turner. Shortly after marriage he worked as a volunteer firefighter for the township of Olive, Orange County, CA. He then became a firefighter for the Chino Fire Protection District, working there for the next five years. He then attended the Los Angeles County Fire Academy, and after graduation, was selected to attend para-medic training, where he was the class valedictorian. After an assignment as a para-medic for Los Angeles County Fire in Azusa, Tim was appointed, Captain, Los Angeles County Fire Dept. In that position he has had assignments in Palmdale, Altadena, Baldwin Park, and Duarte. He is currently working the background unit to examine candidates for the Fire Dept., in addition to his regular captain duties.
Tim and Julie have two sons, Timothy and Todd. Tim is a graduate of Cal State, Long Beach. Todd is a firefighter-paramedic for the city of South Pasadena.
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Maureen Alanna Cremins
Born November 16, 1958, Los Angeles, CA. Maureen attended St. Rita Parochial School, Sierra Madre, where she graduated the eighth grade. She attended Ramona Convent High School, Alhambra, where she graduated in 1977. While in high school she worked at the Sears mail order desk and exchanges, and also at the Mater Dolorosa Retreat House, in Sierra Madre. After high school she attended Sawyer Business College in Pasadena.
Maureen was employed as an executive secretary at several large firms - Carnation Co., Fred B. Hall Insurance, Emmet and Chandler, and Country-Wide Financial. She was so valued by her employer at these firms that each time the executive moved she was invited to move with him.
Maureen married John Incontro on May 1, 1982. John earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Claremont College, Claremont, CA, and was appointed Captain of Police, Los Angeles Police Department, October, 2004.
They have two sons, Sean Joseph and Robert Patrick. At this writing both are attending St. Francis High School in La Canada.
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Biographical material on this page prepared by Jerry Cremins, 3/23/2006.