John "Jack" Cross

On July 4, 1929, John Miles "Jack" Cross, came into this world as the son of Olin Cross Jr. and Ruth Lane Cross. Jack died September 22, at the Bennington Center for Living and Rehabilitation. Jack was raised , and was adopted by his grandparents, John and Myrtle Green Lane of Shaftsbury, VT. Jack attended primary school at Shaftsbury's Red Brick School and graduated from North Bennington High School in 1948. He had a great growing up period. Jack was an avid outdoorsman; he camped, hunted, and fished, he loved playing cards, baseball, softball and being together with his family.December 30, 1950, Jack married Millicent E. Vaughn of West Arlington. They proceeded to have 4 daughters, Gail Bouton of Sharon, MA, Faye Lillie of Bennington who predeceased him in 2012, Susan Bishop of Collegeville, PA, and Linda Cross of Bennington. Millicent, his wife of 54 years, died in 2007. He is survived by nine grand children: Elizabeth Lillie Stallings of Culpeper VA, Bradley Lillie of Bennington, Laura Kane of Bennington, Martha Bouton of South Boston MA, Brooke Lillie of Bennington, Emily Bouton of South Boston, MA, Alexis Kane of Bennington, Lauren Bishop of Washington DC and Kyle Bishop of Bothell, WA. Jack also had 5 Great Grand Children ... and counting. Jack leaves a sister, Elizabeth Center. He was predeceased by sisters Gertie-Jean Harrington, Shirley Paddock,Patricia Cross, and a brother James O. Cross.Jack and his family enjoyed camping locally in their pop up trailer. He tried to spend a lot of time with the girls while they were young, but work did not allow him as much time as he wished, as his girls got older and into college, he forged deep friendships with each of them. Jack and Millicent were very devoted to each other. Jack also enjoyed times spent with his sons in laws, Paul Bouton and Scott Bishop, and his long time and good friend Jimmy Ripa of South Hadley Falls, MA. He had a lot of friends and truly enjoyed helping people. Jack could walk into a room full of strangers and come out with a room full of friends. He was pretty much a person that liked and trusted everyone. Jack enjoyed talking to people and never let the truth get in the way of a good story. Jack was able to travel from the mouth of the St. Lawrence Sea Way to Key West, Florida, where he was able to quail hunt. He also had the opportunity to travel several times to Montana to hunt for Elk and Mule Deer. Every fall for 50 years, he hunted in Norton, VT where he could see his friends and an occasional white tail deer. His hunting and fishing outings established lifelong friends up and down the state of Vermont.Jack was an honorary Shaftsbury Fireman, a Fire Warden of Glastenbury, VT, a former member of the North-Shaft Lions Club, a Member of the Masonic Lodge # 48 of North Bennington, and a former member of the Bennington Club.Jack worked at Stone Gate Farm in Shaftsbury as a devoted caretaker for 45 years. Upon leaving Stone Gate Farm, Jack and his wife, Millicent, resided on Silk Road in Bennington.A Celebration of the Life of John M. Cross will be held Monday September 26, 2016 at 2pm at Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home 213 West Main St Bennington, VT. Internment will be private. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1-2pm on Monday September 26, 2016, one hour prior to the service. Contributions can be made to the Shaftsbury Fire Department c/o Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 957 Bennington, VT 05201. A Celebration of the Life of John M. Cross will be held Monday September 26, 2016 at 2pm at Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home 213 West Main St Bennington, VT. Internment will be private. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1-2pm on Monday September 26, 2016, one hour prior to the service.