Richard Cross

BRIDGTON — Richard L. Cross, 72, of Bridgton, died early Thursday evening, Aug. 27, 2015, at his home in Bridgton, surrounded by many loving family members.

He was born on July 4, 1943, in Bridgton, one of six sons to Lee and Mary (Treadwell) Cross. He attended local schools, graduating from Bridgton High School.

A proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, Richard enlisted in 1966 and served in Vietnam, earning National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Navy Unit Commendation Medal.

Upon his return to Bridgton from his service, Richard found work at the Saunders Bros. mill in Fryeburg, and worked there for many years until retiring in 2003.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, cave exploration, rock hunting and traveling with his loving companion and wife, Carol Ann, to their home in Yuma, Ariz., and her family’s home in Alberta, Canada.

Richard is loved by his wife of 12 years, Carol Ann Desjarlais of Bridgton; a daughter, Jennifer Cross of Tampa, Fla.; brothers, Gilbert and his wife, Carolyn of Bridgton, Charlie and his wife, Paula of Sebago, John “Jackie” and his wife, Cathy of Bridgton, and Gordon of Bridgton; a special granddaughter, Kathleen “Katie” Douglas of Scarborough. He was predeceased by a daughter, Tracey McInnis, in 1996; and a brother, Robert Cross, in 1983.

As part of a loving tribute to his "little" brother, Gilbert Cross wrote the following to be shared, “…If it was possible I would put my hand out to catch the last grain of sand from my brother’s hour glass, and take it back to those two little boys sitting on those stone steps, and watch them run down as fast as their little legs would allow to give it to mother to make Richard new again.”

Memorial services with military honors will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Chandler Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Bridgton. Gifts may be given in Richard’s memory to Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, 15 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240. Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with Richard’s family at www.chandlerfunerals.com