New London, N.H. —
He was a graduate of Governor Dummer Academy and after serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II, he was Honorably Discharged in 1946 and later graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H. in 1950 with a BA in History.
He leaves his wife of 66 years Marjorie (Bethell) Cross of New London; his son Richard (Rip) U. Cross and his wife Deborah of New London; and his daughter Wendy C. Stark and her husband Doug of Encinitas, Calif.. He leaves eight grandchildren: Jonathan Cross and his wife Sara, Lindsay Hanson and her husband Mike, Joseph Shaw V and his wife Kathryn, William Shaw, Trevor Cross and his wife Virginia, Tyler Phillips, Evan Cross, Ryan Phillips; and seven great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Virginia (Ginger) Shaw in 1996.
After college he returned to Worcester, Mass. to work at E.J. Cross Company, a family-owned general construction firm founded in 1894 by his grandfather Edward. He served as the company president from 1965 until 1983. He was active in many Worcester organizations including the Worcester Rotary Club.
He and his family discovered the Lake Sunapee Area in 1963 and purchased their first home on the lake at that time. After moving to New London in 1980, he became active in many local organizations.
He was very active in the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, having served as its president from 1982-1988. He was the First Chairman, Founding Member and Honorary Director of the New Hampshire Lakes Association in 2006.
He was active in the Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurse Association from 2003-2014.
He is a past Commodore of the Lake Sunapee Yacht Club. He had a lifelong passion for antique and classic cars.
A celebration of life service will held at the First Baptist Church of New London, 461 Main Street, New London, N.H. 03257 on Friday July 13, 2018 at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Lake Sunapee Protective Assn. or the Lake Sunapee Region VNA.