Howard C. Cross

Howard C Cross, 90 yrs, old of the Town of New Berlin, NY, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024 at the Chase Nursing Home.

 Howard was born on May 12th, 1934, the son of the late Harry and Eleanor (Roberts) Cross of Brookfield, NY. On August 18th 1954, he married the love of his life, Gail Kilsby.

 Howard is survived by his two daughters, Andrea (Fred) Miller and Shelly Cross; granddaughter, Audrey Moss; his grandson, Kenneth (Andrea) Cross; great-granddaughter, Aria Cross, in addition, he is survived by siblings, Clara Ortolando of Wilmington, NC, and Grant Cross of Sherburne, NY, as well as several sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by Gail Cross (married 68 years), his sister, Elizabeth and brothers, Leon, Jeffrey, John, Richard, and Ray; son, Ron Cross, and his grandson Steven Cross.

 Howard took joy in playing at home in rural East Hamilton with younger siblings, brothers John, Ray, Richard, Leon, Jeff, Grant and sister Clara. Howard served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1953 and the Air Force Reserves through 1960. He drove tractor trailer for OW Hubbell throughout his career. He and his brother John were big into racing their late model stock car, #47, at a few racetracks around central New York and loved going to Fonda Speedway Saturday nights. They were inducted into the CNY Racing Hall of Fame in 2016. The family loved boating, camping, snowmobiling, vacationing at Daytona Beach and going to the Daytona 500. He loved all the people at Chase Nursing Home who cared for him. He enjoyed telling stories there about his time driving.

 Howard loved his family and his animals. They had ponies, a skunk, racoons, a rabbit, chickens, and several dogs and cats. He loved their home in New Berlin where you could find him in his garage with his son Ron or in a garden.

 Memorial donations may be made to the New Berlin Fire Department, PO Box T, New Berlin, NY 13411.