Stuart W. Cross

BETHEL - Stuart William Cross passed on to other adventures on Saturday, November 27, 2010. He was the son of Janice Young Cross and the late Stuart A. Cross. He was born September 9, 1942 and lived on Vernon Street in Bethel all of his life.

He attended school in Bethel, but most of his education came from his family and many friends. If you knew "Studie," he probably taught you something and he came away learning something from you as well. He had several occupations: logger, mason tender, his own bottle and can collection operation, landscaper, special project assistant under Town Manager Scot Cole and most importantly, he was the self-proclaimed Mayor of Bethel.

For 18 years the family spent winters in Chuluota, FL where he made more friends. He also noted the "people down south aren't the same as here in Bethel." In his younger days he spent several winters in Rhode Island with the Knipe family and time with the Standeven family as well. He spoke often of fond memories of those times.

Mr. Cross loved animals, fishing and the wilderness country. He watched his soaps faithfully everyday and his days started off with his "Coffee Route." He belonged to the Bethel Senior Citizens Club and enjoyed the meals as well as the company of friends there at the meetings. He belonged to the Kingston, RI Fire Department under the direction of Earl Knipe. He belonged to the Bethel Fire Department for many years and never missed a meeting. He loved spending time with "the guys." He was a permanant fixture in a fire truck every Mollyockett Day. He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.

Survivors include his mother, brother Jack and wife Sue all of Bethel; nephew Dan Cross of Seattle, WA and niece Nicole Cross of Lake Worth, FL as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services will be held at the West Bethel Union Church Saturday, December 11, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Bethel Fire Department in his memory. Arrangements are under the direction of Greenleaf Funeral Home, 37 Vernon St., Bethel. On-line condolences may be shared with his family at www.andrewsgreenleaf.com.