Francis G. Cross, 93, passed away on February 10, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.
Frank was a faithful, kind and loving man. No matter how he felt, he would wake up every morning and say
that life was beautiful with that beaming smile of his. Frank’s greatest gift was his hands. At a very young age
he was fixing all the farm equipment on his family farm which later would lead him to become a mechanic for
McNash Motors Volkswagen and then eventually become the owner/operator of Frank’s Texaco Station in
Winooski specializing in foreign auto repair. He would never hesitate to help someone on the side of the road
and knew so many people. His greatest memories were of his childhood, his mother, growing up on the farm,
his family, grandchildren and his many travels with family and friends.
While spending summers at St. Anne Shrine in Isle LaMotte VT, he started his life’s mission to make rosaries. At
the time of his death he had made thousands of rosaries that have made their way across the country and the
world. We believe whole heartily that he touched many hearts and brought many closer to God and Mother
Mary to whom he was faithfully devoted to. Much gratitude to Sister Arlene Gates of Our Lady of Providence
Residence in Winooski, who devotedly brought him communion and spent many special times with him.
Frank was born on February 8, 1929 in Georgia, VT, he was the son of the late William and Emaline (Bessette)
Cross. Frank married Mary E. Bachand on May 7, 1955, and went on to raise 5 children. He is survived by his
wife, Mary Cross, his children Mark Cross and his wife Debra, Shawn Cross and his fiancée, Michelle, Anne
Tognelli and Kathleen Poirier as well as his grandchildren, Justin and Evan Cross, Amy and Michael Baker,
Anthony and Jessica Tognelli and Jordan Elisabeth. Frank is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren, his sister,
Cecilia Cross and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter, Mary Francis and his son-in-law, Sergio.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on February 17, 2022 at 1:00 pm at St. Francis Xavier Church, 3 St
Peter Street, Winooski, VT. Burial will follow in Resurrection Park Cemetery, So. Burlington, VT.
We would like to give our heartfelt gratitude to his daughter, Kay and his granddaughter, Jordan. The loving
care they gave to our father/grandfather was nothing but commendable and allowed him to stay in his home
for 17 yrs and make it to his 93rd birthday. Special thank you to his care team at Home Health and Hospice,
Long Term Care Manager, Christie Randall, his Case Worker, Heidi Little, his nurse, Laura Turner, his special
caregiver, Lisa Thompson who he looked forward to every Saturday and shared many tomato plants with. His
very special friend, Diana Charboneau, Dr. Chris Hebert and his team and to the McClure Miller VNA Respite
House who provided the end-of-life care that allowed him to pass peacefully and with dignity. We are truly
grateful to all of you.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Patient Support Foundation, PO Box 1804, Williston, VT
05495 or to the McClure Miller VNA Respite House c/o UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice, 1110
Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446.