Major Thomas P. Cross USMC, Retired, 67, of Gales Ferry CT passed away March 24, 2023 at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital with his loving wife Laura (Parshall) Cross and family by his side after a short battle with cancer. Tom was born on June 27, 1955 in Queens, NY, son of Irene M. and William A. Cross JR., USN.
Raised in Gales Ferry he attended St. Bernard's High School, Class of 1973, then graduated from Central Connecticut State University Class of 1977. After graduation, Tom was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant USMC assigned to Camp Pendleton, CA where he would meet and marry his loving wife Laura of 40 years. After his active service in CA he remained in the Marine Corps Reserves serving with 1st Bn 25th Marines in Plainville, CT and HQ Worcester, MA. In 1990 he was called to active duty with the 25th Marines, then Tom served with the lead units of the 2ndBn 6th Marines, he commanded the first element into Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. Tom received the Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor among others for his actions. Tom then served with the SeaBees in Newport, RI until retiring with the rank of Major in 1997.
Tom also served on the Presidential Advisory Committee for Gulf War Syndrome under President Clinton, investigating exposure of chemical and biological warfare agents affecting servicemen.
Tom worked for many years as a purchasing agent finally retiring at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton in 2016.
Tom was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Gales Ferry, the Knights of Columbus and the VFW.
Tom was active in boating, classic cars, traveling, woodworking, collecting submarine paraphernalia, and was an avid METS fan. He found the most joy with his family and granddaughters.
Tom is survived by his sons, Thomas P. Cross JR, Granddaughters, Cecilia and Penelope of Mystic, CT, and David M. and Meghan Cross of Andover, MA; brothers William A. Cross III of East Haven and John R. Cross and his wife Peg of Durham and sister Rita E. (Cross) Van Steenbergen and her husband Paul of Durham, as well as nieces Nicole (Cross) and Chad Henry-TX and Amanda (Cross) and Eric Goldstein-VA and nephews Michael, Kevin and Ryan Cross and Paul and Andrew Van Steenbergen of Durham.
Calling Hours will take place on Sunday, April 16, 2023 from 3 to 6pm at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic.
Mass and Burial will take place on Friday, May 5, 2023. The Mass will be celebrated at 10am at Our Lady of Lourdes, 1650 Route 12, Gales Ferry and Burial will be at 2pm at the State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Smilow Cancer Center in Waterford.