Photo courtesy of Curran-Jones Funeral Home - West Springfield
West Springfield, Massachusetts
Jan 5, 1926 – Feb 18, 2017
John William Cross
1926 – 2017
West Springfield – John W. Cross, 91, died Saturday morning in a local nursing home surrounded by his loving family. John was born in Springfield, son of the late Lewis and Viola Cross. He grew up in the Memorial Avenue section and has lived in West Springfield most of his life. He worked as a Rural Letter Carrier for 30 years, serving as the Shop Steward for the Western Mass rural letter carriers, before retiring in 1986. John enlisted in the United States Navy before finishing High School and received his diploma after his discharge from the service in 1948. A member of the Deadline Gang, he also was a youth coach in Baseball and Basketball, umpired baseball games, enjoyed playing golf and cribbage and was an avid Cleveland Browns and Boston Red Sox Fan. In 1972, he received the Aime Levesque Award for outstanding volunteer work from the West Springfield Park & Recreation Department. A lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, he served many years as a lay minister. He was a very loving husband, father and grandfather. He leaves his wife of 66 years June (Kitchen) Cross; three children Jeffrey Cross and his wife MaryLou; Eric Cross and his wife Debra and Sandy Barbieri and her husband Guy. He also leaves six grandchildren Bryan Cross and his wife Alex, Ashley Hoyt and her husband Kevin, Kacey and Johnny Cross and Jacob and Kyle Barbieri and a great grandson Cole Hoyt. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters Cynthia Goodenow and Susan Maiolo and brother Harrison. The funeral will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Noon followed by burial in the Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held prior to the funeral home service on Wednesday from 10:30am – Noon. For online condolences please visit curranjones.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Exposition Aria Alumni Scholarship Fund, PO Box 124, West Springfield, MA 01090-0124 or to the May Institute, 1111 Elm Street, Suite 7, West Springfield, MA 01089
Read More❤❤ one from me and one from mom mom
Heather Moriarty
February 13, 2021 | Family
To the Cross family,
My brother & I were so sad to learn of Mr. Cross's passing. So sad to learn of our Calvin Cir. neighbor crossing over. Our prayers are w/ you all Doreen & Bob McDonald
Doreen McDonald
March 03, 2017 | Westspringfield, MA
Jeff...... sorry to learn of your Father's passing...... be well!
George Hagan
February 21, 2017 | Palm Springs, CA
To Mrs Cross, Jeff, Eric, and Sandy...My deepest sympathies for your loss...John and your family were always a big part of what made the "circle" a great neighborhood in which to grow up. May he rest in peace
Bill Colburn
February 21, 2017 | West Springfield, MA
My heart is broken for all of you...I will miss our conversations and seeing him walking around the circle...Blessed be...Anne
Anne (Buffum) Remillard
February 21, 2017 | West Springfield, MA
To the Cross family,
Please accept my sincerest condolences. May nice memories of times spent together serve as a comfort in your time of loss.
Jeff Mitchell
February 21, 2017 | West Springfield, MA
My condolences to the Cross family. I am a retired letter carrier and worked with John and his son Jeff. He was an expert on Postal regulations and I always respected his opinion. I went to the Crest a few months ago and had the pleasure of speaking with John, who was dining with his wife. May he Rest In Peace.
Tim Herlihy
February 20, 2017 | West Springfield, MA
Dear Eric and Cross Family,
My deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your beloved dad.
Martha Kauppinen
February 20, 2017 | Oxford, MA
I was never disappointed to see John show up as an umpire when I was playing baseball in West Side. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Rich Discenza
February 20, 2017
