Robert Burns Cross Jr.

MADISON – Robert Burns Cross Jr., born on April 25, 1933, to the late Robert B. and Evelyn (Huff) Cross Sr. passed away in the early hours of Feb. 13, 2022. Robert is survived by his wife, Joan (Saultes) whom he married on Nov. 22, 1952.

Except for a few excursions, Bob spent his life in Skowhegan. He graduated from Skowhegan High School, class of 1951, followed by a year at Hebron Academy, class of 1952. Rather than pursue an engineering degree at Brown University, Bob chose to work in one of the family businesses, Cross Hardware. Bob managed the hardware/plumbing business until its sale in 1997. His wife, Joan, joined him in the business for its last 34 years.

Not one to ever sit idle, Bob continued with his locksmith business through 2013. Customers appreciated Bob’s problem-solving skills, and he was happy to share advice on their projects; he could be relied upon to help whether the challenge was someone with broken pipes on a Saturday night or a locked car door out of town. Bob worked long days and except for Sundays, he rarely took time off.

Though he sought no attention for his deeds, Bob assisted many individuals when they needed support, be it someone starting a new career path or someone down on their luck. For all of his kind gestures, Bob was also known for his acerbic wit, and to know him was to expect it at any given moment. He most enjoyed those who could engage in his banter. As a final show of the special place his business and storefront held for him and Joan, they wish to extend gratitude to their customers; Bob often spoke about how much he appreciated their patronage.

As a youth, Bob, a bit of a prankster, was very active in the Boy Scouts of America, the ski team, and the high school orchestra, where he played the clarinet and the sax. He made life-long friendships. He loved to regale his grandchildren with stories of Sugarloaf’s early days and the mischievous “mishaps” he and Dick or Skeet or others found themselves in. Bob had many interests and hobbies in his life. He taught his kids to ski, enjoyed cruising in his boat on Pleasant Pond in Caratunk, where he and Joan had a camp for many years, puttered in his basement woodworking shop, and dabbled in ham radio activities. He was very proud of the home he and Joan built in 1955 and shared for 67 years.

Bob actively participated in several organizations. He and Joan were members of the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1967, Bob received the Chamber’s Certificate of Merit for his service to the town and in 1997, Bob and Joan received the Chamber’s Heritage Award for 59 years of service “In Recognition of and Appreciation for Your Dedication to the Preservation of the Roots of this Community”.

Bob belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star and the Masonic Somerset Lodge, #34, and the Kora Temple of Shriners in Lewiston. In 2016, he was recognized with 50 years of active membership as both a Shriner and a Mason. He was a member and past deacon at the Federated Church of Skowhegan. Bob was a member of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge #2531 and in 1993, the lodge named him “Citizen of the Year”. As a member of the Pine Tree State Locksmith Association, Bob made many friends across the state.

Give Bob the “funnies”, a crossword puzzle, an espionage novel or world affairs article, and he was only happier if he also had nearby a grandchild to offer a whisker kiss or snag with a charley horse. Even as he aged, Bob continued to grace dance floors at the weddings of his grandchildren and great-nieces, meet a small circle of friends for morning coffee, and a larger contingent for monthly luncheons. Those closest to him will remember — and take a lesson from — the emphasis he placed on enjoying the present; sitting on his porch, or that of his sister-in-law, looking out at Pleasant Pond with a handful of peanuts and a gin and tonic, Bob often said there was no better place to be.

Bob is survived by his wife, Joan; his children Rebecca (Christopher) Young of Caratunk, Cynthia (Mark) Junco of Raymond, Robert (Valerie) Cross of Bryant Pond; his sister-in-law, Jean (Charles) Piper of Chelmsford, Mass., his brother-in-law, William (Frances) Saultes of Madison; grandchildren Sarah Young (Jainen Thayer) of Des Moines, Iowa, Geoffrey (Kayla) Young of Lisbon, Ryan (Jacqueline) Cross of New York; great-grandchildren Georgiana and Edward Thayer of Des Moines, Iowa, Khloe and Wyatt Young of Lisbon, Allison and Caroline Cross of New York; and several nieces and nephews.

Bob was predeceased by sister, Joan (Cross) Steward and brother-in-law, Phillip Steward; and grandson, Capt. Benjamin Robert Cross.

The family would like to thank the staff at Woodlands Memory Care Center and Beacon Hospice Care for their empathy and professional, loving care.

In accordance with Bob’s wishes, there will be no funeral or visiting hours. A private burial service will be held in the summer with a date to be determined.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave. Skowhegan ME 04976. http://www.SmartandEdwardsfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the following organizations in Bob’s memory are welcomed:

Skowhegan Public Library

9 Elm St.

Skowhegan, ME 04976

Beacon Hospice Care

5 Community Dr. Suite A

Augusta, ME 04330

Pine Tree Council, BSA

146 Plains Rd.

Raymond, ME 04071