Obituary of Stanley Cross

CROSS: Thomas Stanley Cross of the Griswold area died December 24, 2013 in Fairview Home, age 82. Iris, his wife of 50 years; daughters Beverly (Mepunga, Australia), and Marion (Calgary); sons-in-law Andrew Holloway and Bill Irsa; and grandchildren Jack and Janie Holloway, and Wyatt Irsa, will miss him forever. Stan's siblings: Jean, Win, Archie, Joe, John, Evans, and families; as well as a multitude of friends, will miss Stan's cheeky grin, readiness to lend a hand, and his quiet generosity. He worked on the family farm from an early age, driving the tractor for his Dad at the age of seven, but he didn't complain. He loved a good laugh, more often than not at his own expense, and he was a fine mimic. When he threw back his head and laughed, it made you smile inside. Dad was respected by neighbours and friends, and was a pallbearer more often than we can remember. He helped to dig graves at the Griswold Cemetery for many years, and helped at the curling rink to make ice and haul water. He used his bulldozer to clear snow in Griswold and area, and later cleared bush with it. He helped others with farm work whenever and however he could. Stan was born March 6, 1931 to Marion and Jack Cross, in Woodrow SK in the house that Jack built. The Cross family moved to the farm north of Griswold in 1937, and Stan worked the family grain and beef farm the rest of his life. He took a short mechanical course in Edmonton in 1952 and used the skills he learned to fix all matter of machinery. Almost every summer Stan could be found in the workshop, taking a motor out of a tractor and repairing it. He created a hoist out of steel beams to help lift tractor motors out. Stan was known for his fiery temper, and we could often hear him cussing from across the road. He mellowed with age, but still loved to make wisecracks up until a few weeks ago. There are not many farmers around Griswold that Stan hadn't helped at some point. He was often called upon by friends to fix or weld everything from lawn mowers and rototillers (he hated both passionately), vehicles, and all manner of farm machinery. He could put his hand to many things but as he was quick to admit, not any of them real well. He dabbled at curling, welding, carpentry, basic plumbing and electrical work. He loved simple things in life - spring crocuses, newborn calves running in the spring sunshine, a new National Geographic, a trip to Canadian Tire, and a beer with a friend. In 2010, Dad was diagnosed with vascular dementia, which robbed us of the man we knew. Dad never wanted to be a burden in any way, so although we mourn his passing, we are relieved he is at peace. A Celebration of Stan's Life was held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. with Marianne Whyte officiating. If you so wish, donations can be made to the Burrowing Owl Recovery Program. While cutting hay, Stan inadvertently killed many of these small owls, and it always bothered him. This program works to re-establish owls, and that would have pleased Dad. Cheques payable to the: Turtle Mountain Conservation District Memo: "Manitoba Burrowing Owl Recovery Program" (MBORP), 129 Broadway Street North (Box 508), Deloraine, Manitoba, R0M 0M0, (204) 747-2530, mbburrowingowls@gmail.com