Submit a PhotoPatrick Bernie Cross, age 71, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2021. Pat was passionate about three things: his family, Notre Dame football, and manufactured housing. Although, he would admit, not always in that order.
Pat was born on December 15, 1949, in Albany, New York. He earned an associate degree in business at Hudson Valley Community College and was a charismatic salesman from an early age. Early on in his professional life, he landed at Skyline Homes and thus his long, storied career in manufactured housing began. From Skyline to Redman to Champion, Pat crisscrossed the country, family in tow, establishing a name for himself in the industry. He was a dedicated employee with a strong work ethic. He brought that work ethic to many aspects of his life, whether that was playing a round of golf, hosting an epic tailgate, or planning a rousing celebration. Pat was always the life of the party. While Parkinson’s robbed him of much of his boisterous charisma in his later years, he never lost his passion. This was especially true of the love he held for all the people in his life, whether they were family or had once been family or were never family at all. They were all family to him.
Pat is survived by his children, Martha Jane Cross (Joshua Roberts), Michael Patrick Cross (Tia), Mark Stephen Cross (Courtney), his grandchildren Vincent Patrick, Dorothy Ann, Adrie Noel, Josephine Catherine, and Rosemary Donna, his siblings, Michele (Cross) Kuban (Gary), Michael Murphy (Linda), Kelly (Murphy) Ficara (Rick Briglia), and much-loved cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Cross, Mafalda (Pinto) Murphy, and Gerald Murphy.
A celebration of his life will be held in the coming months in Mesa. Please contact the family for details. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in Pat’s memory.
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Pat was a dear friend of mine in South Bend, Indiana for the last 16 years. Make he Rest In Peace.
Deepest condolences to the Cross Family. Wishing peace upon your family right now.
As a customer of Pats in the manufacturer housing business, I thought of Pat first as a friend and then as a customer. We had great times together and shared much. He was super proud of his kids , that I can tell you! . and Notre Dame. He will be missed RIP big fella!
Pat was always one of my favorites and he will be missed. I remember one time when he gave his great seats up at an MSU vs ND game to me and my dad. That was just one of the many awesome things he did for others. Love you Pat!
Sending hugs & prayers to all! We have lots of memories of the fun times we’ve shared with Pat & family when we first moved to IN & for many years since then. He was “Uncle Pat” to our kids & a true friend to John & I. It’s those memories we will hold on to & cherish….
Pat had a manufactured home built for us. I’ll always be grateful to him for his generous help.
So sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed talking to Pat when he came into Topeka Pharmacy. Enjoyed talking on the phone. Will keep you all in my prayers.
Pat was a kind and wonderful man and we were happy to have Pat as a resident of Discovery Point Retirement Community prior to his passing. He seemed to love living here and we wished we could have known him longer. Condolences to his family.
Pat was my customer for 15 years and my coworker for 7 years but mostly he was my friend. He LOVED his family!!
I am so sorry to hear of pat’s passing. It had been many years since I had seen him. My condolences 🙏