Cross, Peter W.
March 10, 1935 - July 29, 2015
Peter W. Cross passed away on July 29, 2015 at his home in Carrollton, Texas at the age of 80, surrounded by family and loved ones. Pete was born March 10, 1935 in Albany, NY to Marshall W. Cross and Violet L. Gooding Cross.
He spent his early years in Albany, New York and the teen years in Hoosick Falls, New York, spending much time with his grandparents Warren and Ethel Gooding, and graduating from Hoosick Falls High School June, 1952. Upon graduation he entered the Air Force and spent 22 months of his tour in Okinawa and the Philippines. He was an Honor Graduate from Ninth Air Force Non-Commissioned Officers Academy and at the time of his Honorable Discharge he had risen to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
After the service he attended the University of Vermont and graduated from the University of Maine in 1961 with a degree in forestry. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.
Pete embarked on a career in the forestry/wood products business, with places of employment at Weyerhaeuser, Amos Thompson, The Dean Company, and as part owner of Columbia Plywood Corporation. Among his stops were Marshfield Wisconsin, North Troy Vermont, Princeton West Virginia, Columbus Indiana and Newport, Vermont.
His first retirement came in 1982, when he resigned from Columbia Plywood Corporation. He purchased a marina on Lake Memphremagog in Newport, Vermont, which he operated for five years. In March of 1987 he was recruited for a two month project in the Amazon jungle of Brazil by a non-profit group known as International Executive Service Corps (IESC, an affiliated entity of the US State Department). After successful completion of the project, he was offered and accepted the position of Deputy Director of Egyptian Operations in Alexandria, Egypt. Pete held many important positions during his eleven years with IESC, including Director of Operations – Mauritius, Vice President/CFO IESC Headquarters, Vice President – Africa/Middle East, Director of Operations – Egypt, and Chairman of IESC World Conference.
He retired for the third time to Carrollton, Texas in 1999, where he was able to enjoy fishing, watching his grandson's athletic events, and active participation in Rotary Club of Carrollton-Farmers Branch. His greatest joy came from the mentoring of young men through Rotary and CFBISD.
Among the many awards Pete earned in his lifetime are: Eagle Scout, 50 year award – Masonic Union Lodge in Troy, Vermont, David Rockefeller Spirit of Service Award 1999, Texas Volunteer of the Year 2008. He was the recipient of numerous awards from the countries where he served and from the U.S. Agency for International Development and U.S. embassies and consulates.
On June 30, 1956 he married Ardean (Ardy) Farber in Glens Falls, New York. In addition to his wife of 59 years he is survived by his daughters Deborah and her husband Kyle Wood of Carrollton, Texas, Rebecca and her husband George Poirier of Madison, Wisconsin and Sarah and her husband Marco Gross-Santos of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Also surviving are his grandsons Tanner Poirier, David Wood, Travis Poirier, Ian Troost, step grandsons Remi Gross-Santos, Miles Gross-Santos, brothers Dr. Robert Cross and Richard Cross, and four nephews and two nieces. He is sorely missed by his precious dog Shotzie who is still waiting for him to come in the front door. He was predeceased by an infant daughter Lisa Jane.
A Memorial Service in celebration of Pete's life will be held at 2:00 PM on August 17, 2015 at North Dallas Funeral Home, 2710 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, Texas.
Memorial contributions can be made to: The Dallas Foundation with notation to The Pete Cross Memorial Mentoring Program, c/o Rotary Club of Carrollton-Farmers Branch PO Box 110417, Carrollton Texas 75011 or to the Wounded Warrior Project at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.
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Rick Duvall
Condolences from all the Duvall's.
Bob Kasvinsky
I had a wonderful experience with the Cross family in 1958 when I stayed with them at their home in Bennington, VT. We spent Thanksgiving at their grandparents house in Hoosick Falls, NY, obviously a family tradition. The highlight for me was my first rabbit hunting trip over the following weekend. Pete, his brothers Bob and Dick (who I still see here in VT), and their father Marshall, they called him Grumpy, took me north of Bennington to hunt with their beagle, who scared up the rabbits. They gave me a single-shot 20-gauge figuring I would never hit anything. I kept extra shells between the fingers of my left hand and was able to rapidly reload and blast away. I was the butt of much merriment at the Cross dinner table folloing the hunt, for all the lead shot my rabbits carried. A truly wonderful family and obviously a cherished memory that I have not forgotten! One of my best Thanksgivings ever! Rest in peace, Pete.
Michael J. McQuad
What a wonderful fellow and fellow Rotarian. We will never forget him.
Amanda Galloway
It was always a joy to see Pete and hear the stories he had to tell. He was always so cheerful and in good spirit even when I know he was not feeling good. He will be dearly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Ardy and Pete's family.
Walt and Carol Rutkowski
We came to know Pete and Ardy through the Savoy of Josey Ranch Neighborhood Association. Pete and Ardy served as co-Presidents of SJRNA and they were also an integral part of Supper Club. We always looked forward to dinners including them because we knew there would be one or two (usually more) stories from Pete that kept us all enthralled. We'll miss his booming voice and ability to accomplish anything he set out to do. Heartfelt wishes to both Ardy, Shotzie and the remaining members of Pete's family.
Raul H. Paredes
Pete was my mentor, friend, and esteemed colleague in Rotary. Aurora and I will surely miss him. We extend to Ardy and the entire family our sincerest condolences. We pray that God bless all of you with His peace and consolation, especially during these difficult moments.
Ardy, our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. Pete was a wonderful and caring person. All of us at my office (Danielle, Monica, Marina and Mandy) will miss his cheerful presence and always positive attitude.
Larry Boatright
Pete was a genuinely good guy. Always a compliment for everyone and will be missed by all.
Barry Jordan
I and my wife, Ilene sendour very sincere sympathy to Ardy and all of the Cross Family and friends. Pete was a very great friend always with opinions to discuss, great conversation to share and guidance to give. He will be missed very much.
Harold Elias-Perciful
Pete was a friend. He and his strong handshake was an able recruiter for any project he was working on. He was a great story teller and fun to be around.
Steve Patrick
Pete's accomplishments are impressive and insiring. He was a wonderful leader for the Carrollton Farmers Branch Rotary club. He will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Cross family. Pete was a true gentlemen and great friend.
Dick Calvert
Pete was an integral part of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club. He embodied the Rotary moto of Service Above Self by serving as a mentor to numerous students at Farmers Branch Elementary School.
Pete will be missed by the many who had the good fortune to be his friend.
Jim Farber
Condolences from the Farber clan NW, RIP
Jean Butler
I am impressed by all the many accomplishments of Peter Cross. He lead a full and productive life. I share in the sorrow of your loss. He was obviously a great father and grandfather to my dear friends Debbie, David and Kyle. Hugs to all.
Love you and miss you so much Grampy!