Patrick C. Cross, a resident of Beacon since 1983, formerly of Poughkeepsie, died at his home in Beacon after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 77.
Son of the late Patrick and Kathleen Hannon Cross, he was born in Limerick, Ireland on June 28, 1935. In 1958, he moved to New York City and one year later arrived in Poughkeepsie.
Patrick was an avid soccer fan, as a spectator, player, and coach. In 1971, he co-founded the Town of Poughkeepsie soccer league with the support of the Town's Recreation Department. Within two years, the league grew from three teams to three divisions. Patrick was also implemental in coaching the program as well. In 1974, he founded Hyde Park's travel team and coached there as well. In 1984, his soccer mentoring continued in Beacon, where he coached both in-house and travel teams and also Beacon High School Varsity Soccer. For all of his dedication to the sport and local programs, he was inducted into the East Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League Hall of Fame in 2011. He also officiated at High School Track Meets from 1982-1984.
After many years of service, he retired from IBM, East Fishkill, in 1993. He was a member of St. Joachim Church in Beacon; past member of the Kevin Barry Irish Club, Knights of Columbus, Poughkeepsie and BPO Elks, Poughkeepsie. Patrick was instrumental in Project Children, an organization that brings children from Northern Ireland to the U.S. for several weeks during the summer. He was also an avid reader.
He is survived by his wife Maureen at home; his children, Deirdre Cross of Poughkeepsie, Patricia Fiore (Jerry) of Poughkeepsie, Geraldine LaGasse (Dale) of Poughkeepsie, Brendan Cross of Poughkeepsie, Suzanne Murphy (Micah Tompkins) of Clinton Corners, Stacey Bartos (Eric) of Maitland, FL, Stephanie Knight (Brian) of Marlboro, Sharyn Zibrida (Joseph) of Rehoboth, MA, and Craig Seaman (Laura) of Beacon; his grandchildren, Shannon, Ian & Eileen Fiore, Daniel & Connor LaGasse, Caitlin, Patrick & Meaghan Murphy, Aidan & Killian Bartos, Devin & Breighan Knight, Thomas, Timothy & Ainsley Zibrida, and Keira & Benjamin Seaman; his great-granddaughter, Kyleigh Murphy; his siblings, Mary O'Driscoll of California, John Cross (Theresa) of Ireland and Thomas Cross (Maura) of Ireland; also many nieces & nephews in the U.S. as well as Ireland.
Patrick was predeceased in death by his parents; his sisters, Peggy, Kitty and Nancy; his brothers, Seamus and Mickey; and his granddaughter, Morgan Maeve Seaman.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 13 and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday July 14 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 14 at St. Joachim Church, 51 Leonard Street, Beacon, with interment following at St. Joachim Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John-St. Joachim Parish, 31 Willow St., Beacon, NY 12508 or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / www.pancan.org
For driving directions, online condolences and memorial donations, visit Patrick's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.