Courtesy / Legacy.com
Woodrow Cross, 1916-2020
July 27, 2020
Maine insurance icon Woodrow Cross dies at age 103
By Staff
Woodrow Cross, who founded a Maine-based insurance agency that today is one of the largest independent firms in the country, died peacefully Sunday at age 103 near his home in Bangor.
The son of Melvin Cross and Mabel Speed Cross, he was born in December 1916 on a small farm in Bradford. In 1938, after the abrupt death of his father, Cross began running the family’s small country store to support his mother and younger siblings.
During World War II, Cross served in the Pacific theater as a member of the U.S. Army.
After marrying and starting a family, he moved with them to Bangor in 1954. He soon obtained an insurance license and began the Woodrow W. Cross Agency — now known as Cross Insurance — from his kitchen table, according to the company website.
In 1963, Cross moved his at-home agency to an office in downtown Bangor, hired his first employee and acquired his first agency. He later continued to build the business with sons Royce Cross and the late Brent Cross, as well as grandsons Jonathan Cross and Woodrow Cross II.
With headquarters still in Bangor, Cross Insurance employs more than 1,000, represents dozens of insurance providers, and operates over 40 branches across eight states. Cross Insurance is also the namesake sponsor of the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor and the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
Woodrow Cross “had a true love for his work,” according to his obituary. He was the recipient of several awards, including an honorary doctorate of business administration from Husson University, naming to the Junior Achievement Maine Business Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Norbert X. Dowd Award from the Bangor Chamber of Commerce.
Cross was predeceased in 1992 by his wife, Janette Bean Cross, as well as by his parents, son Brent, brother Leon Cross and sister Lula Cross Zinni.
Woodrow Cross is survived by daughters Connie Cross Guelich and husband David of Roanoke, Virginia; Judith Cross Olson and husband Greg, of Lexington, Massachusetts; son Dennis Cross and wife Carol, of Orono; Royce Cross and wife Louise, of Brewer; daughter-in-law Lori Cross, of Bangor; 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
A private graveside service will be held for the family. The family suggests that donations in Cross’ memory be sent to the Building Fund of Calvary Baptist Church, 61 State St., Brewer, ME 04412, or to the Brent Cross Scholarship Fund, c/o Husson University, 1 College Circle, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
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