Obituary of Robert 'Frank' Cross

September 2, 1942 – Edmonton, Alberta

December 11, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Frank Cross of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at the age of 79 years.
 
Born in Edmonton, Alberta on September 2, 1942, Frank grew up in the Innisfail area, outside Red Deer, Alberta. Life began for little Frankie as an integral part of the family farm - where he first discovered a lifelong heart for animals, big and small. 
 
As a young man, Frank joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1960 he trained as a radar technician and was posted with Group 4Z. Frank was stationed on Baffin Island and served as a Foreman at the Distant Early Warning Line, beginning a long career in electronics technology.
 
Returning to private life, he moved to Edmonton and worked as a field engineer with Control Data and Harris Systems in tech ops for clients like the Edmonton Journal. He also married in 1972 and thoroughly enjoyed life in the shoes of a traditional family man.
 
That growing family moved to Toronto, Ontario in 1979 to support his career in technical operations managing large mainframe systems. Personal time focused on a love of pets, and patience with several high maintenance children... Camping and fishing, little league coaching, and Cub Scout leading were all activities the family participated in together. On his own time Frank enjoyed the more social aspects of curling and the quiet concentration of music, in practicing piano or honing some excellent skills as an ever popular accordionist. 

Frank did not complain for one minute when work eventually brought the family back to Alberta for a federal government role in computer engineering. He felt at ease back in proximity to the wide open land of the prairies and foothills. Later in life he resumed his service in the capacity of a Commissionaire, where he enjoyed meeting and helping people in various visible posts within the community (like Spring Gardens, Broadcast House, and YYC Intl. Airport) as a Site Supervisor.
 
Frank had a love of travel and great curiosity for the world beyond. He thrived on stories of the adventures his children took, while working too long and hard to embark on many of his own. He did however cherish one particularly memorable trip - a month-long stay in New Zealand. Ever the prairie boy at heart, Frank surprised everyone with steady requests to visit a different beach each day of his stay, and boldly ventured up to his knees in the sea on at least one of those occasions. 
 
Frank is survived by four moderately interesting children, Duncan Cross of no real fixed city or country, Graham Cross (Jennifer Cross) of Langdon, AB, Valerie Cross (Simon Eaddy) of Vancouver, BC and Logan Cross of Calgary, AB. He was also a proud Grand Dad to three treasured grandchildren: Hannah, Linnea, and Huxley. 
 
Frank was predeceased by his parents, Elizabeth Pearl (Wells) and Russell Petch Cross of Penhold, Alberta.
 
Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.
 
In living memory of Frank Cross, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB