Official Obituary of

Stephen G. Cross

December 16, 1945 ~ April 9, 2026 (age 80)

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Stephen Cross Obituary

Steve was born on December 16, 1945, in Ithaca, the son of the late Gilbert Cross and Elizabeth Roberts Cross. Growing up in Oneida, he was a graduate of

Oneida High School in 1963. He attended SUNY Canton, where he earned his associate’s degree in 1965. Steve proudly served in the New York Air National Guard from 1965 until 1971, obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He made his career in the telecommunications industry, beginning his employment with New York Telephone and persisting through mergers with AT&T and other companies. He later went on to serve as an independent consultant and project manager for several telecommunication firms. On August 22,1967, at Saint Helen‘s Roman Catholic Church in Sherrill, Steve married Mary Bushnell. They settled in Kirkville, where they raised three treasured children.

Giving of himself and his energy, Steve spent countless hours volunteering, including his service and outreach with Habitat for Humanity where he built houses for those in need and participated in numerous mission trips to help those impacted by natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. Together with his friend Earl Woods, they used their craftmanship to design and convert a tractor trailer into a mobile shower trailer for other volunteers participating in such mission trips, and they recruited and managed a team of volunteers to help make their vision reality.

Steve shared his musical talent as a means of sharing his faith, playing the acoustic guitar for Sunday school children and at many church services at the Bridgeport, Minoa and Oneida United Methodist Churches over the years. He spread joy by donning Christmas red for The Arc concert for several years and generously contributed to charities that provide food security for those in need. In his free time, Steve enjoyed cheering on the Dallas Cowboys and watching his grandson grow.

Steve touched the lives of all who knew him. His strength, compassion, and kind-heartedness were inspiring. Steve’s love for his family and those around him knew no boundaries. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Mary; his son, Andrew Cross of Pine Grove, KY; his son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Estela Cross Guillen of Rio Rancho, NM; his beloved grandson, Antonio Cross Guillen and his fiancé, Jerzi Renville of Albuquerque, NM; his brother, Robert Cross of Knoxville, TN; his brother, Martin (Mary) Cross of Irmo, SC; his sister, Barbara English and John Crawford of Cortland, NY; his brother-in-law, John Davies of Durham, NC; his stepsister, Kathleen (Thomas) Sheffield of Toms River, NJ; and his stepsister, Colleen Patane of Baldwinsville, NY. Steve is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Gilbert and Elizabeth; his stepfather, Howard Thall; his beloved daughter, Darcey Cross; his sister, Patricia Davies; and his sisters-in-law, Mary Beth Cross and Melinda Cross.

Steve’s funeral will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 551 Sayles Street, Oneida, with the Rev. Robert Wolaber, Pastor and Rev. Chris Kinnell officiating. Friends are invited for calling hours at the church beginning at 1:00 PM until the start of the funeral service. Funeral arrangements are in the compassionate and personal care of Jeffrey T. Paul, Director of the Coolican-McSweeney & Paul Funeral Home.  To leave a message of condolence, please visit:

coolicaan-mcsweeney.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul’s UMC Community Garden Fund, P.O. Box 296, Oneida, NY 13421.