WRIGHT — Gerald Carl “Bud” Cross was a family man who served his community in many ways — as a volunteer firefighter, as a town councilman, as a scoutmaster, and as a trustee in his church.

He died on Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the comfort of his home on Route 443 in the Schoharie County town of Wright with the support of his family and hospice. He was 80.

Mr. Cross was born on Aug. 24, 1939 in the town of Knox, a son of Raymond “Sy” Cross and Alice (née Bellinger) Ecker Cross. He attended the Berne-Knox High School.

He began his working career with area farms and self-taught mechanics before working for the Town of Wright Highway Department, Manz Sales, River Implement Co., Willow Lane Farm, Cobleskill Agway, and finally starting his own business. He operated Carl’s Repairs at his home from 1997 to 2010. 

He served as assessor and town councilman for the town of Wright along with serving over 27 years with Troop 4 Boy Scouts as assistant scoutmaster, scoutmaster, and commissioner; both of his sons achieved Eagle Scout.

Mr. Cross was a member and former trustee of the Gallupville United Methodist Church and in the Methodist Men’s Club. He was an honorary member of the Gallupville Fire Department where he served as a fireman and fire police.

“Bud enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, being outdoors, watching old westerns and spending time with his family,” his family wrote in a tribute.

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Gerald Carl “Bud” Cross is survived by his wife, Linda (née Putman) Cross, whom he married on Oct. 27, 1962; by his sons, Keith Cross and his wife, Nichole, of Gallupville and Kenneth Cross and his wife, Julie, of Florida; by his much-loved grandson, Jacob Sy Cross; and by his loved grandchildren, Ryan, Brandon, Nicholas, and Lilee Cross.

He is also survived by his sister, Shirley Ostermann and her husband, Robert, of Gallupville; by his sister-in-law, Elena Ecker of Florida; by his foster brother, Norman Griffin and his wife, Margaret, of Middle Grove along with niece Deborah Rosko and several more nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His siblings, Ernest Ecker, Eleanor Haverly, Kenneth Ecker, and Lorraine Clark, died before him.

Calling hours and a funeral service were held on Nov. 9 at the Langan Funeral Home in Schoharie with burial following in the Gallupville Rural Cemetery.

Memorial messages may be left at AltamontEnterprise.com/milestones.

The family wishes to thank the hospice providers: Cory, Joyce, Kristen, Michele and Michael.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Scho-Wright Ambulance Service, Post Office Box 325, Schoharie, NY 12157 or to the Gallupville United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 33, Gallupville, NY 12073.