Obituaries

Chicago, IL (June 10, 2017) – Rev. Robert Ambrose Cross passed away in the morning of June 9, at Belmont Village Senior Living, Oak Park. Fr. Cross, Pastor Emeritus of Ascension Parish in Oak Park, was 90 years old.

Fr. Cross was born in Marion, Indiana, on December 1, 1926 and he was the youngest of 10 children. He attended St. Luke School in River Forest for his primary education. Fr. Cross went on to study at Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Theology. Additionally, he earned his Licentiate of Sacred Theology as well as his Master’s Degree in Library Science. He was ordained into the priesthood on May 1, 1952, by Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago, and celebrated his first Solemn Mass at St. Luke Parish in River Forest on May 4, 1952.

Fr. Cross served in the Archdiocese in a number of different parochial roles. He was Assistant Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Lake Forest (1952-56) and went on to teach at Quigley Preparatory Seminary (1956-61) and to Quigley Preparatory Seminary South (1961-74). Fr. Cross also served as Assistant Pastor at the St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1966-70) and the Sacred Heart Parishes (1970-74) in Chicago. He was named Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Chicago (1974-82) and Ascension Parish in Oak Park. Fr. Cross became Associate Pastor of St. Cornelius Parish in Chicago (1988-93) and remained in that role at St. Frances of Rome Parish in Cicero (1993-95). He was appointed Pastor Emeritus of Ascension Parish in Oak Park in 1996 and continued in that role until his retirement.

His niece-in-law Mary Catherine Meek, pastoral associate at Ascension Parish, remembers Fr. Cross as a motivated priest who cared about social justice issues. “He was a people’s person who held feeding the hungry as one of his main concerns,” said Meek. He was involved with several groups such as Clergy and Laity Concerned and the Hunger Fund. The Meek family had the opportunity to welcome Fr. Cross into their home when his health declined. 

Fr. Bill Flaherty, resident at Ss. Faith, Hope and Charity Parish and a classmate of Fr. Cross, played golf and went on vacation many times with Fr. Cross. “He was a good priest, a highly respected priest.” Fr. Cross loved liturgy, said Fr. Flaherty, it was his way to worship the Lord.

Fr. Cross will lie in state on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at St. Luke Parish, 528 Lathrop Avenue in River Forest, Illinois. Visitation hours are from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Services will continue on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Ascension Church, 801 South East Avenue in Oak Park, Illinois. The Most Reverend Raymond Goedert, a classmate of Fr. Cross, will be the main celebrant of the Funeral Mass.