With deeply saddened hearts we announce that our brother Terence Cross passed suddenly at his home in Peyton Colorado while on OUTCAN service with the Canadian Armed Forces at NORAD HQ. "TC" had recently been promoted to Commander with almost 30 years of service. As a Maritime Surface officer, his early career was spent mainly at sea executing various roles, many of them Operational. His postings included the Haiti Disaster Relief Force, Task Force Golan Heights, and multiple sailings to the Persian Gulf, amongst others. TC had many personal interests such as his black belt (3rd dan) in Taekwondo and his certification as a scuba diver which he happily passed on through training to his fellow crew members. TC was respected, and liked, by subordinates, his peers and superiors. He was known as the "go-to" guy.
Terry was a compassionate soul. He had recently adopted "Stella" a 2-year old boerboell mastiff rescue dog whom he quickly came to care for very deeply. Terry enjoyed travelling the world, bringing back many anecdotes and stories which he shared with family and friends. He loved to debate history, politics, religion, cheese and scotch or just talk about Stella. He was kind, generous and funny. Terry was a proud uncle and is survived by his nieces and nephews, Alex, Leah, Robyn, and Connor Cross, and Adam, Ashley, Brooke and Chad Andersen. They will miss him immensely. They adored his visits and looked forward to his stories from overseas and around the world. Terence was born in Ottawa, the youngest son of Dr. John Patrick and Geraldine Cross (both deceased). He is also survived by his three brothers and Uncle Kevin Cross who will all mourn his departure greatly. Brothers Dan (Deborah), James (Sue Dubreuil) and Robert (Shelley) will miss his laughter, the mischievous sparkle in his eye, his intellect and curiosity.
For those wishing to make a donation in Terence's memory the Family suggests the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Friends and family are invited to visit the Hall of Colours of Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on Wednesday, November 6th, 2019 from 11:00AM until time of a Funeral Service in the Sacred Space at 1:00PM. Burial with Full Military Honours to follow in the National Military Cemetery of Beechwood.
A reception will follow on site from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
My deepest condolences to the family on this tragic sudden loss.