Final Salute

Gales Ferry – Major Thomas P. “Tom” Cross USMC (Retired), 67, of Gales Ferry, passed away March 24, 2023, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital with his loving wife Laura (Parshall) Cross and family by his side after a short battle with cancer. Tom was born June 27, 1955, in Queens, N.Y., son of Irene M. and William A. Cross Jr., USN.

Raised in Gales Ferry, he attended Saint Bernard 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, Calif., where he would meet and marry his loving wife Laura of 40 years. After his active service in California, he remained in the Marine Corps Reserves serving with 1st Bn 25th Marines in Plainville, and HQ Worcester, Mass. 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, R.I., 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, and collecting submarine paraphernalia; and he 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, and David M. and his wife Meghan Cross of Andover, Mass.; brothers, William A. Cross III of East Haven and John R. 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 of Texas, and Amanda (Cross) and Eric Goldsten of Virginia; and nephews, Michael, Kevin and Ryan Cross and Paul and Andrew Van Steenbergen.

Calling hours will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 16, at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. Mass and burial will take place Friday, May 5. The Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes, 1650 Route 12, Gales Ferry, and burial will be at 2 p.m. at the State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Smilow Cancer Center in Waterford.

Published by The Day on Apr. 9, 2023.