We Remember

CROSS, Woody

January 1, 1970 — January 1, 1970

On March 27th, the world lost a great man. There were few people in this community who didn’t know and love Woody Cross, he touched so many lives and his loss is so much more than heartbreaking. After a tough battle with a very rare form of cancer called a neuroendocrine tumor, Woody passed away quietly at home surrounded by his three girls and family.  In true Woody Cross fashion he fought hard to the finish line, never losing his humor and wit and kept his loved ones laughing until the end.

Woody was born and raised in Kamloops, BC. He attended NorKam High School where he was part of the student council and participated in track, baseball, hockey and sports of all kinds. At Cariboo College he was President of the Student Council and became heavily involved with Boys and Girls club. This laid the groundwork for a life long passion and involvement in community service and generosity of helping others.

In 1986, Woody discovered a passion for running and joined the Kelowna Running Club. It was here that he found his place and created life long friendships – running with buddies was probably his favorite thing to do. He was an incredible man, completing 18 marathons and countless long distance races.

Professionally, Woody’s career with the federal government spanned 33 years, and most of those specifically with Canada Immigration. He always had a story to tell of those busy days where his running often came in handy. He loved the friendships and relationships he built through the many years of service he gave. After retirement, Woody spent years on his own helping people navigate their way to becoming a Canadian Citizen.

Woody’s greatest achievement of all was his family. He married his wife Kathie in 1974, and they had 43 wonderful years together, all of those in south Kelowna among family and friends. As his two daughters got older, he went from playing on his own sports teams to coaching theirs and spent many weekends coaching soccer and ringette or driving kids to and from practices, games and tournaments.

He and Kathie loved Maui and they spent time there each year relaxing on the beach and running races in the sun. We know he’s either running one of his favorite routes or maybe sipping a beer on Poòlenalena beach right now.

There is no way to sum up the life of this wonderful man, but we can say he was admired and loved by many. Woody leaves behind his loving wife Kathie, his daughter Kim and husband Dustin, his daughter Katie and husband Andrew and his grandchildren Wallace and Mackenzie, along with his brother Basil and extended family. Woody’s Mum Connie and his grandson Lochlan predeceased him.

A celebration to honor Woody will be held at 2pm, April 8th 2017 in St. Mary’s Church followed by a gathering at East Kelowna Community Hall, all are welcome.  In lieu of flowers, we are accepting donations for the placement of a memorial bench in Woody’s name. To make a donation go to:https://www.gofundme.com/Woodysmemorialbench.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”

Service
Saturday, April 8, 2017

Location
St. Mary's Church

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n lieu of flowers, we are accepting donations for the placement of a memorial bench in Woody’s name. Link: www.gofundme.com/Woodysmemorialbench.
We are accepting memorial donations for the placement of a memorial bench in Woody’s name. Link: www.gofundme.com/Woodysmemorialbench

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for CROSS, Woody is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, 2017. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

St. Mary's Church

2710 E Kelowna Rd Kelowna, BC

Phone:


Special Requests:

None.


Funeral Pointers:

 


Condolences

  • Chris Rinas ( Harvest Grocery employee) says:

    I was very sorry to hear this news.
    He always seemed to have a smile on his face, even lately when he would drop in the store.
    Take care of each other, you are in my prayers.
    Chris Rinas

  • Jane Fitz-Gerald says:

    Kathie, Kim, Katie & family: Gerald and I are saddened to hear of Woody’s passing. We are praying for you all to find peace in his release from suffering. Our hearts are with you as you mourn. He will be greatly missed.

  • Chuck Abney says:

    So hard to lose such a wonderful man. Just last month I was finishing up a long run and passed Woody’s house only to hear him yelling “Could you run any slower? Come on!” His sense of humour and his friendship will be missed my many within KRC and the whole Kelowna community;.

  • Barbara and Dwight Carroll says:

    It was with extreme sadness that we learned this morning of Woody’s death. We have such rich memories of races throughout the valley Woody shared his love of running. Such a big smile, such a kind man, such a great love of his family. He will be missed and leave a very big hole in all our hearts in Kelowna. Love to his family and close friends. Barbara and Dwight Carroll. Kelowna, BC

  • Jim Nixon says:

    I am so sorry to here of Woody’s passing. He was a great guy and a great neighbour. He will be missed and remembered fondly. He had great humour, a great smile and the Cross’s raised a fabulous family. We will be out of town for the service but our thoughts are very much with you at this difficult time. Take care Cross Family. Jim and Diana Nixon and Family

  • Daryll and Marlene Cannon says:

    Thank you Kathy, Kim and Katie for publishing such a warm memorial to a man that touched so many lives in this community and well beyond. Woody was a terrific work colleague and an even better friend. We know the loss of a loving husband and father is a deep, lasting sorrow but we hope the condolences that are flowing in from all over the country will ease that sorrow just a little bit. We are all hurting with Woody’s loss. You are right, he was a great man.

    Daryll and Marlene Cannon

  • Louise and Andy Griffin says:

    Kathie, We are thinking of you at this sad time. Woody was a great man and one could see how much he loved you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Louise and Andy Griffin

  • Bobbie & Bruce Currie says:

    Dear Kathie and family,
    We are very saddened to hear of your great loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
    Treasure all the wonderful memories you have.
    Bobbie and Bruce Currie

  • Divi Allan says:

    Thinking of you, Kathie and the rest of the family at this sad time. Am praying for strength and comfort as you walk this difficult journey.
    Divi

  • Elaina & Stuart Dolbel says:

    Dear Kathie &Family,
    Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this very sad time.. Woody will be greatly missed by us all!! Unfortunately, we will be away the weekend of Woody’s celebration of life but we will be thinking of you all and be sure to raise a glass to honor him..so glad we could take part in the creation of a memorial bench for Woody…such a lovely way to keep him in our lives. Hugs, Elaina & Stuart

  • Eric and Min Rayson says:

    Woody is a great loss to the community as a whole as well as to the sports community. We have many memories of the long runs and races with the Kelowna Running Club. Condolences to Kathie and family. Min and Eric Rayson

  • Linda & Larry Rushfeldt says:

    Our trips to Kelowna were not complete without a visit with Kathy & Woody.
    Woody was a witty, kind and caring man. We will miss him.
    We share your sadness.

  • Robert Fine says:

    Dear Kathie &Family,

    What a tremendous loss for you and for our community. Woody has influenced so many lives in helping investors, graduating students and workers call Kelowna home thru his efforts with the Economic Development Commission. He made our Region soar – I am so glad I had 7 great years working with Woody. He was truly an amazing man and is already so sadly missed

  • Yan Campbell says:

    Dear Kathie

    I am so sorry to hear about Woody. What a loss for everyone. I don’t need to tell you how well loved he was and how much he will missed. He will always be remembered for his zest for life and the energy he put into it.
    Sincere condolences and love from
    Yan Campbell

  • Lea Gray says:

    This was such sad news! I worked with Woody at the Canada Employment Centre, he was such an amazing person! Loved by many he will be sadly missed! He was so kind and caring and also had the greatest sense of humour! My condolences to Kathy and the family! Woody was an inspiration to many! Lea Gray

  • Drew/Denise says:

    We met woody by chance when he had an office by thalheimer
    We were looking for help with the road to citizenship and were so lucky to find him he made it all happen. His calm temper and had all the answers for this difficult procedure god bless him.

  • Joanne Hlina says:

    I went through elementary and high school with Woody (he lived half a block away). We car-pooled to Cariboo College in its inaugural year. Many years later we reconnected when we had offices in the same office building in Kelowna. Woody was always smiling, always upbeat. i don’t think I ever saw him in a bad mood. In high school he was involved in so many things, from sports to student council, always excited about living an interesting life. In our talks later in life, he was proud of the accomplishments of his wife and girls. His spirit lives on…

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