It is with great sadness that the family of Herbert G. (Bert) Cross, 84, announces his passing on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009 at Rainycrest Long Term Care, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., after a lengthy illness of Alzheimer’s.
Bert was born July 23, 1924 in Mulvillehill, Man. to the late Herbert and Winnifred (Izzard) Cross, the second-oldest of nine children. The family later moved to Rainy River District.
In July, 1942, Bert enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces, serving in the theatre of war in Canada, Britain, central Mediterranean, northwest Europe, Italy, France, and Germany.
On Dec. 15, 1951, he was united in marriage to Delores Speidel and together they raised their three children, Wayne, Janice, and David.
Bert was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to many nieces and nephews.
After the war, he moved houses with his brother, Vic, throughout Rainy River District. He also had a sawmill and built his own home on McIrvine Road. He later worked for George Armstrong Co. and the local paper mill.
Bert was a member of the Church of the Lutheran Hour and the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29 in Fort Frances. He loved the outdoors, and had a special connection with animals, especially horses. He also enjoyed gardening and travelling to Arizona, Europe, and Washington, D.C. visiting friends and relatives.
Bert was predeceased by his parents, Herbert and Winnifred Cross; six brothers,Vic, Ed, Bill, Art, Don, and Jack Cross; four sisters-in-law, Illa, Joan, and Corinne Cross, and Lorraine Campbell; and three brothers-in-law, Gus Anderson, Frances Campbell, and Norman Nelson.
He leaves behind to mourn his wife of 57 years, Delores Cross, of Fort Frances, Ont.; three children, Wayne (Diana) Cross of Murillo, Ont., Janice (Jeff) Alexander of Trail, B.C., and David Cross of Fort Frances, Ont.; and grandchildren, Jacob, Isaac, and Tabitha.
Also surviving are two sisters, Doris Anderson of Fort Frances, Ont. and Florence (Edward) Lampi of Devlin, Ont.; five sisters-in-law, Mickey (May) Cross of Fort Frances, Ont., Jeanette Cross of Rainy River, Ont., Lorena Jaman of Atikokan, Ont., Emma Nelson-Yanke (Ray) of Medicine Hat, Alta., and Eleanore (Roy) Haas of Saltcoats, Sask.; and two brothers-in-law, Ivan (Joan) Speidel and Vern Speidel of Winnipeg, Man.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Rev. Jacob Quast officiating. The Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29 Colour Party provided their military tribute at the service.
Interment will take place in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances at a later date.
The honourary pallbearers were Brian Anderson, Doug Cross, Lanny Cross, Brad Cross, Art Cross, Mike Cross, Gordon Lampi, Byron Speidel, Dan Domres, Ed Sletmoen, Nick Sandul, Dan Clarke, Don Roulston, and Dr. Barry Anderson.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada for Research, Suite 1600, 20 Eglinton Ave. W., Toronto, Ont., M4R 1K8, the Church of the Lutheran Hour, 508 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont.., P9A 2N9, or to the charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.mem.com
Fort Frances Times
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