John Forgie Cross

Cross, John Forgie

John passed away peacefully at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie on Friday, October 20, 2023 in his 79^th year.  He was born on January 18, 1945 and was the chosen son of the late Basil and Jean Cross (nee Stewart) of Don Mills, Ontario where John grew up. 

He graduated from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Metropolitan University) and worked as a Pension Portfolio Manager, first at Canada Trust, then Wood Gundy, then at CP Rail, Freight Division. Almost 20 years ago, he left the workforce and Toronto and took up permanent residency at the Cross family cottage on Go Home Lake. Four years ago when he became too ill to live there alone, he came to Barrie to share the home of his sister, Nora Cross.

John is survived by his devoted son David, wife Crystal and children Lillian and twins Colton and Hayden and by his loving daughter Joanne and her husband James Foxton and children Peyton and twins Tyler and Scotty;  His sister Nora Cross and former wife and mother to David and Joanne, Joy Cross-Landon, all of Barrie and good friend, Bonnie Jones of Port Credit and family.

John wished to be cremated and leave behind his legacy with his family on Go Home Lake. The property was purchased after John and his dad picked out the lot when the lake opened to settlement in 1958. It held a big place deep in his heart and now the fourth generation enjoys it as much as he did. Some of his ashes will also be interred with his parents at the Beeton United Cemetery in Simcoe County. A celebration of life will take place on Friday, October 27, 2023 from 1-4pm at the Ferndale Banquet Hall, 24 Ferndale Industrial Drive, Barrie, Ontario L4N 9W2. Family and friends are welcome to gather and share memories.

Donations in John’s memory can be made to cancer research at the Terry Fox Foundation terryfoxfoundation.org.