Stanley Cross

Stanley L. Cross, of Niagara Falls NY, died Wednesday December 9, 2015 in Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, after a brief illness. Stanley was born October 8, 1934 in New Jersey, the son of the late Vernon and Helen (Schaefer) Cross. A U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of the Korean War, he served from February of 1953 to his honorable discharge with the rank of CPL in February of 1956 and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Service Medal. Stanley was a graduate of Ohio State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He joined Hercules, Inc. in 1961 as a development engineer at its Alleghany Ballistics Laboratory in Maryland. Following his master's degree studies in engineering sciences, he joined the Bacchus Works marketing staff in 1973 and worked on aerospace structures and applications for graphite composites. He became Manager of Tech Specialties of Advanced Graphite Composites and was instrumental in the design of the F-18 and F-16 Fighter Jets. In 1978 he was promoted to Manager of Automotive Marketing Composites and helped in the design of the Grand Prix, Formula 1 McLaren Cars driven by World Champions, Nikki Lauda and John Watson. He lived in Detroit from 1978 to 1985 and returned to Niagara Falls after his retirement in 1988. Stanley was a member of "SAMPE", Society Advanced Material Processing Engineers and was a keynote speaker at their conventions for many years. He was also a featured speaker at Stanford University and the General Motors Institute, and a member of the Professional Engineering Society. He enjoyed sailing, skiing, scuba diving, fishing and was a member of the National Ski Patrol and Kissing Bridge. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Vernon Cross. Funeral Services will be held Monday, December 14, at 11:00 AM in HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston. There will be no prior visitation. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the American Heart Assoc., PO Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13270-3049.