John S. Cross

HOLDEN - John S. Cross, 91, a life-long resident of Holden, died at home on October 1, 2015. He was born on September 29, 1924, to Laurence H. and Lillian M. (Smalley) Cross, and was pre-deceased by his sisters, Miriam Taylor of Medford, Oregon, and Olive “Susie” Sibley of West Springfield, MA, and his parents.



He was also predeceased by his wife, Ruth (Roberts) Cross, who died in 2010 following a lengthy battle with vascular dementia. John and Ruth married in 1948 and had two children, John (Jack) Cross, Jr. and his wife, Donna, and Rebecca (Becky) Tornblom. He also leaves three grandchildren, Jill Cross of Worcester, Jeffrey Cross (Katherine) of Austin, TX, and Jodi (Michael) Dinardo of Cape Neddick, ME, and three great-grandchildren: Daniel and Thomas Cross of Austin and Freddie Dinardo of Maine, with a second Dinardo baby due momentarily. John also leaves many nieces and nephews, as well as his life-long friend, Bill Oliver, of Holden.



As a teenager, John worked for the former Kelton’s Market and graduated from Holden High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II, and was discharged as a corporal in 1946. He attended Nichols Jr. College of Dudley on the GI Bill, graduating in 1948.



Upon his return home to Holden, John met Ruth Roberts, who was working as a waitress at the former Hicks’ Restaurant while she attended Newport Hospital School of Nursing in Rhode Island. John and Ruth were married on September 12, 1948, at the First Baptist Church of Holden.



John’s “official” career was as an internal auditor at the former Peoples’ Savings Bank in Worcester, but his 50 years of service on the Holden Fire Department was the true love of his working life, retiring in 1989 as a Captain.



John had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed puttering around the house and yard, with many chores and projects always underway. He spent many hours walking the family dogs around town and making more friends as he did so. He was a kind, friendly, and humble man who leaves his family and friends with many memories, a small town hero of great modesty who lived a generous and faithful life.



Relatives and friends may visit with John's family from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. The funeral service and celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 5, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Holden with the Rev. Rob Woods officiating. There will be a collation at the church following the service, to which all are invited, followed by interment in Grove Cemetery.



The family requests that any memorial donations be made to either the First Baptist Church of Holden, 1216 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472. We also want to thank the many people from the Jewish Home Health and Hospice of Worcester who served and comforted John in his final month. We are very grateful to each and every person who made John’s final days a testimony to the power of love and caring. To share a memory or offer an online condolence please "Sign the Guestbook" on this page.