Richard (Dick) Cross, 79, Beloved Husband, Father, Mentor & Friend, Will Be Dearly Missed

By  //  June 9, 2012

obituary

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — Richard (Dick) Cross, 79, beloved husband, father, mentor and friend, of Dallas, Pennsylvania. and Melbourne, Florida. passed away Friday May 18th at the Health Center of Merritt Island Florida after a year-long battle with cancer.

He was born in New York City on December 28th, 1932, and attended New York Public and Catholic schools.

He joined the Navy in 1952 and served from 1954- to 1956 in the Naval Dental Corps.

He then joined Metropolitan Wire Goods as one of the original employees and made the move with the company to Wilkes-Barre in 1958. He had a series of promotions and left the company after 32 years as Executive Vice President.

He started a new company, Vendors First Choice as president and retired from there in 2000.

He was very active in the community, particularly in his church, Ascension Catholic Church of Melbourne, where he helped initiate the Adoration Chapel, worked on the Buildings and Grounds Committee for many years, as well as assisted with the Thrift Store.

His favorite leisure pursuits were tennis, golf and the New York Football Giants, and not necessarily in that order.

He married his childhood sweetheart Marguerite (Marge) in 1954 and they had over 50 loving years together before her passing in 2004.

They are survived by their children, son Neil Cross and wife Martha of Norfolk, Maine.; son Timothy Cross of Nicholson, Pennsylvania; son Daniel Cross and wife Kieran of Manakin, Virginia.; and daughter Tracy Simon and husband Michael of Clark Summit, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Ascension Catholic Church, 2930 N. Harbor City Blvd. Melbourne, Florida 32935, on Friday June 15th at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon reception at the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Memory of Richard Cross be made to the Ascension Church Adoration Chapel at the same address.

Anyone wishing to share a memory or send the family a message is asked to please visit Richard’s guestbook at www.beachfuneralhome.com.